Carson, ND vs Ray, ND

The cost of living difference between Carson, ND and Ray, ND is dramatic. Carson is 30.1% cheaper than Ray, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Carson has a cost index of 54 while Ray sits at 78, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Carson is $575/month compared to $971/month in Ray — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Carson is more affordable at $72,000 median vs $211,500.

Median household income in Carson is $40,000 compared to $69,792 in Ray (-42.7%). While Ray is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Carson spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, more than the 16.7% in Ray.