Oakes, ND vs Ray, ND

Oakes is moderately more affordable than Ray, with a 14.4% lower cost of living index. Oakes scores 67 compared to 78 for Ray, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ray can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Oakes is $740/month compared to $971/month in Ray — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oakes is more affordable at $160,100 median vs $211,500.

Median household income in Oakes is $64,750 compared to $69,792 in Ray (-7.2%). The higher salaries in Ray partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Oakes spend roughly 13.7% of their income on rent, less than the 16.7% in Ray.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (44°F vs 41.7°F). Oakes receives more rainfall at 21.8" per year compared to 15.1" in Ray.