Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Dickinson and West Fargo, North Dakota. Using North Dakota's 0.98% property tax rate and $2,100/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Dickinson edges out West Fargo in affordability, saving you roughly $275/month on total housing costs. Both cities are in North Dakota, so property tax rates and insurance costs are the same — the difference comes down to home prices and what you get for your money in each market.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses North Dakota's 0.98% property tax rate.
Buying in Dickinson saves you approximately $275/month ($3,300/year) compared to West Fargo, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Dickinson is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $275K versus $315K in West Fargo. That's $40K less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $10K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in Dickinson, compared to $11K in West Fargo. North Dakota offers the NDHFA FirstHome program (DCA up to $14,000) which applies in both cities.
Dickinson has the better price-to-rent ratio at 21.8x versus 22.2x in West Fargo. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Dickinson is $1,050/month on a $275K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
West Fargo (pop. 38,626) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Dickinson (pop. 25,026) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Families on a budget may prefer Dickinson, where lower housing costs free up more income for childcare, education, and savings.