New Salem, ND vs Oakes, ND

Oakes is moderately more affordable than New Salem, with a 7.8% lower cost of living index. New Salem scores 72 compared to 67 for Oakes, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of New Salem can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in New Salem is $866/month compared to $740/month in Oakes — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oakes is more affordable at $160,100 median vs $173,400.

Median household income in New Salem is $69,750 compared to $64,750 in Oakes (+7.7%). The higher salaries in New Salem partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of New Salem spend roughly 14.9% 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 New Salem.