Bottineau is a small town of 2,104 in North Dakota, with a median household income of $67,723
and a 6.7% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Bottineau stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Bottineau is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Bottineau city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 90.6
Bottineau's overall cost of living index is 90.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Bottineau costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Bottineau, ND
National Avg
Median Home Value
$161,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$720
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
64.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$67,723
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Bottineau's violent crime rate is 127.3 per 100,000 residents
— 66% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
127.3 /100k
Property Crime
859.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Bottineau is served primarily by BOTTINEAU 1.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.3:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Bottineau, ND
National Avg
School District
BOTTINEAU 1
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
28.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
93.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Bottineau sees average highs of 15.2°F in January
and 79.3°F in July,
with 19.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 49.8 inches of snow per year.
Bottineau's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Bottineau roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $161,200 and median rent is $720/month.
Bottineau's violent crime rate is 127.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 859.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Bottineau are operated by BOTTINEAU 1.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.3:1. 28.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Bottineau, ND has a population of 2,104, a median household income of $67,723, and an unemployment rate of 6.7%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Bottineau averages 15.2°F in January and 79.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 19.2 inches
with about 49.8 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Bottineau, ND is covered by 1 ZIP code: 58318.
The population of Bottineau, North Dakota is 2,104 with a median age of 35.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Bottineau: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $161,200, median household income $67,723, crime index 36 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Bottineau side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
