Devils Lake vs Wahpeton: Housing Costs in North Dakota
Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Devils Lake and Wahpeton, North Dakota. Using North Dakota's 0.98% property tax rate and $2,100/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Devils Lake
Wahpeton
Median Home Price
$185K
$185K
Population
7,370
7,766
Average Rent
$750/mo
$750/mo
Est. Monthly Mortgage (P&I)
$1,052/mo
$1,052/mo
Est. Monthly Property Tax
$151/mo
$151/mo
Est. Monthly Insurance
$175/mo
$175/mo
Est. Total PITI
$1,448/mo
$1,448/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.6
20.6
Verdict
Devils Lake and Wahpeton are nearly identical in monthly housing costs, with only $0/month separating them. Your choice should come down to lifestyle, commute, and neighborhood preferences rather than cost.
Monthly Payment Comparison
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses North Dakota's 0.98% property tax rate.
Devils Lake
Home Price$185,000
Down Payment (10%)$18,500
Loan Amount$166,500
Monthly P&I$1,052
Monthly Property Tax$151
Monthly Insurance$175
Monthly PMI$69
Total PITI$1,448/mo
Annual property tax: $1,813
Wahpeton
Home Price$185,000
Down Payment (10%)$18,500
Loan Amount$166,500
Monthly P&I$1,052
Monthly Property Tax$151
Monthly Insurance$175
Monthly PMI$69
Total PITI$1,448/mo
Annual property tax: $1,813
Which City Is Better For...
First-Time Buyers
Wahpeton is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $185K versus $185K in Devils Lake. That's $0 less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $6K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in Wahpeton, compared to $6K in Devils Lake. North Dakota offers the NDHFA FirstHome program (DCA up to $14,000) which applies in both cities.
Real Estate Investment
Wahpeton has the better price-to-rent ratio at 20.6x versus 20.6x in Devils Lake. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Wahpeton is $750/month on a $185K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Families
Wahpeton (pop. 7,766) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Devils Lake (pop. 7,370) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Wahpeton offers both more options and lower housing costs, making it attractive for families who want urban amenities without a premium price.