Lincoln, ND vs Oakes, ND

The cost of living difference between Lincoln, ND and Oakes, ND is dramatic. Oakes is 34.6% cheaper than Lincoln, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lincoln has a cost index of 90 while Oakes sits at 67, 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 Lincoln is $1,222/month compared to $740/month in Oakes — a 65% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oakes is more affordable at $160,100 median vs $259,400.

Median household income in Lincoln is $83,387 compared to $64,750 in Oakes (+28.8%). The higher salaries in Lincoln partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lincoln spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, more than the 13.7% in Oakes.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (43.1°F vs 44°F). Oakes receives more rainfall at 21.8" per year compared to 19.1" in Lincoln.