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City · 6,039 residents · McKenzie County, North Dakota

Watford City , North Dakota

In Watford City, a typical home is worth $408,500 and typical rent is $1,336 a month. Compared with all of McKenzie County, the typical home value is 17% higher, typical household income is 9% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 24 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $408,500

    17% above the county

    63% above North Dakota

    • Watford City
    • McKenzie
    • North Dakota

  • Typical rent

    $1,336a month

    4% above the county

    40% above North Dakota

    • Watford City
    • McKenzie
    • North Dakota

  • Typical household income

    $102,260a year

    9% above the county

    33% above North Dakota

    • Watford City
    • McKenzie
    • North Dakota

  • Households that own their home

    29%

    24 points below the county

    34 points below North Dakota

    • Watford City
    • McKenzie
    • North Dakota

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$388,454
6% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,236 a month

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Watford City is in McKenzie County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of McKenzie County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Watford City apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Watford City has the lowest homeownership rate of the 13 cities in North Dakota with more than 5,000 people: 29%.

  2. Watford City has the highest typical rent of the 13 cities in North Dakota with more than 5,000 people: $1,336.

  3. Watford City has the highest typical household income of the 13 cities in North Dakota with more than 5,000 people: $102,260.

  4. Watford City has the highest typical home value of the 13 cities in North Dakota with more than 5,000 people: $408,500.

  5. Nearby, in Minot, the typical home value is $257,100: 37% less than in Watford City ($408,500).

  6. Nearby, in Dickinson, the typical rent is $957: 28% less than in Watford City ($1,336).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Watford City

What homes there are in Watford City, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Homes in Watford City are varied: detached houses are the largest group, at 24%, against 46% in McKenzie County.

Year built

By age, homes in Watford City look like those in McKenzie County: the typical year built is 2013.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$2,369 a month

McKenzie County: $2,274 a month

Without a mortgage

$499 a month

McKenzie County: $495 a month

Owners with a mortgage

68%

McKenzie County: 50%

Owning costs about the same in Watford City as in McKenzie County: with a mortgage, $2,369 a month; without one, $499.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Watford City rose 73%; in McKenzie County, it rose 47%.

Much as in McKenzie County, the typical rent in Watford City rose 17% since 2015–2019.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureWatford CityMcKenzie CountyNorth DakotaUnited States
Rental vacancy 19.9%18.6%8.3%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1.2%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate6.1%2.2%3.4%
People per household 2.262.342.282.53
Drive alone 77%78%78%69%
Carpool 12%10%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate4%3%
Work from home Unreliable estimate9%8%15%
Other means Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutesUnreliable estimate10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes

There is more rental housing open in Watford City: 19.9% is empty and offered for rent, against 18.6% in McKenzie County.

Much as in McKenzie County, a household in Watford City has 2.26 people on average.

In Watford City, 77% of workers drive alone to work; in McKenzie County, 78%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Watford City?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Watford City, worth $408,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 38% of the typical household income in Watford City, which is $102,260 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $139,805 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of McKenzie County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Watford City. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $14,298 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$3,262

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$401,101
Total interest
$577,090
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $6,899 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,386 a month

  • Tight

    $2,386 to $3,068 a month

  • Hard

    more than $3,068 a month

    Your payment · 38%

Compared with the typical household income in Watford City ($102,260 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$3,262
Principal & interest$2,717
Property tax$194
Home insurance$170
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$181

You need at least $14,298 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Watford City and McKenzie County

Watford City is in McKenzie County, North Dakota. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Watford City's own numbers

Typical home value
$408,500
Typical monthly rent
$1,336
Typical yearly household income
$102,260
Households that own their home
29%
Effective property tax rate
0.57%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of McKenzie County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,577
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+48%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2.5%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of McKenzie County.

Everything about McKenzie County

Buying

Buying a home in Watford City

A typical home in Watford City is worth $408,500: 17% above the county and 63% above North Dakota. With the typical household income in Watford City ($102,260 a year), a typical home costs 4.0 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Watford City 4.0 years
  • McKenzie 3.7 years
  • North Dakota 3.3 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in McKenzie County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in McKenzie County rose 65% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of McKenzie County.

Period County North Dakota U.S.
Last year (2025) +17.3% +5.1% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +48% +34% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +65% +45% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Watford City next to McKenzie County, North Dakota and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Watford City $408,500
  • McKenzie $349,600
  • North Dakota $249,900
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Watford City $1,336
  • McKenzie $1,284
  • North Dakota $954
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Watford City $102,260
  • McKenzie $93,404
  • North Dakota $76,657
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Watford City next to McKenzie County and North Dakota
Measure Watford City McKenzie County North Dakota U.S.
Typical home value $408,500 $349,600 $249,900 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,336 $1,284 $954 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $102,260 $93,404 $76,657 $80,734
Households that own their home 29% 53% 63% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $2,319 $1,491 $2,468 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.57% 0.43% 0.99% 0.94%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below McKenzie County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Watford City

For a typical $408,500 home in Watford City, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Watford City's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $3,262a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $14,298
    Cash to close
    $26,553
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $181

  • Conventional, 5% down $3,187a month

    Down payment
    $20,425
    Cash to close
    $32,680
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $194

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $2,578a month

    Down payment
    $81,700
    Cash to close
    $93,955
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,956a month

    Down payment
    $61,275
    Cash to close
    $73,530
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Watford City and for McKenzie County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Watford City

0.57%of the home’s value each year

$2,319 a year for the typical owner in Watford City.

  • Watford City 0.57%
  • McKenzie 0.43%
  • North Dakota 0.99%

What North Dakota publishes Primary Residence Credit (North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner)

Exemptions and deadlines in North Dakota

Flood risk in McKenzie County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of McKenzie County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
2.5%
90
Of those, with NFIP insurance
12%
County North Dakota U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 2.5% 3.1% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 12% 28% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Watford City

Typical rent in Watford City is $1,336 a month: 4% above the county.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of McKenzie County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,577 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $30.33 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of McKenzie County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,199 $23.06 $47,960
1 bedroom $1,206 $23.19 $48,240
2 bedrooms $1,577 $30.33 $63,080
3 bedrooms $2,053 $39.48 $82,120
4 bedrooms $2,636 $50.69 $105,440

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Watford City

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Watford City is in ZIP code 58854.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,620: $43 more than the fair market rent for McKenzie County ($1,577).

  • 58854 $1,620$2,110

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Watford City when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Watford City

HUD lists one building with rents for lower incomes in Watford City.

  • Hillside Court 205 5th St NW, Watford City 58854 20 low-income homes · For older adults (701) 225-3120

See all 1 buildings in McKenzie County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Watford City

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in McKenzie County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A man leans over the armchair where a girl is reading a book.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Watford City

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Watford City or McKenzie County. The ones below are statewide in North Dakota: they work in Watford City the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in North Dakota

  • FirstHome Start

    Statewide in North Dakota

    With the North Dakota state agency's FirstHome mortgage, the buyer gets 3% of the loan as a credit toward the cash due at closing (down payment, closing costs and prepaid expenses); it cannot be combined with other assistance. Offered by North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA).

    Grant

    See the program Official page

  • DCA

    Statewide in North Dakota

    North Dakota state agency help for low-income buyers with an agency mortgage: 3% of the loan as a credit toward the cash you need at closing (down payment, closing costs and prepaid expenses); it cannot be combined with other assistance. Offered by North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA).

    Grant

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Watford City

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Watford City, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Community Action Partnership - Minot Region

    2020 8th Ave SE, Minot · 97 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Homelessness services
    • and 1 more
    (701) 839-7221

  • North Dakota Housing Finance Agency

    2624 Vermont Avenue, Bismarck · 137 miles away

    (701) 328-8060

  • Southeastern North Dakota Community Action Ag

    3233 University Dr S, Fargo · 310 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Homelessness services
    • and 1 more
    (701) 232-2452

All counseling agencies in North Dakota

Help in Spanish near Watford City

None of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Watford City

HUD lists no housing authority with an office in McKenzie County. One in a neighboring county or the state’s may serve the area.

All housing agencies in North Dakota Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Watford City, with the typical home value.

Everything about McKenzie County Housing in North Dakota

Neighboring counties

If McKenzie County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Watford City.

All guides
A family roasts marshmallows over a campfire at a forest campsite.

Questions

Housing questions about Watford City

Short answers with the numbers for Watford City and all of McKenzie County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Watford City?

The typical home value in Watford City is $408,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in McKenzie County it is $349,600.

How much does it cost to rent in Watford City?

Typical rent in Watford City is $1,336 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in McKenzie County is $1,577.

What is the FHA loan limit in Watford City?

Watford City uses the FHA limit for all of McKenzie County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Watford City?

The typical homeowner in Watford City pays $2,319 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.57% of the home’s value; in McKenzie County, the rate is 0.43%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Watford City?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in McKenzie County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).