Jamestown is a small city of 15,850 in North Dakota, with a median household income of $53,389
and a 5.7% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is
8% below the national average.
Strengths:
Jamestown stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Jamestown is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Jamestown 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: 91.5
Jamestown's overall cost of living index is 91.5,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Jamestown costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.
Metric
Jamestown, ND
National Avg
Median Home Value
$185,300
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$739
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
55.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$53,389
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Jamestown's violent crime rate is 102.2 per 100,000 residents
— 73% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
102.2 /100k
Property Crime
1239.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Jamestown is served primarily by JAMESTOWN 1.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 8.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Jamestown, ND
National Avg
School District
JAMESTOWN 1
—
Elementary Schools
5
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
22.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Jamestown sees average highs of 18.4°F in January
and 81.6°F in July,
with 21.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 46.1 inches of snow per year.
Jamestown's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Jamestown roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $185,300 and median rent is $739/month.
Jamestown's violent crime rate is 102.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1239.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Jamestown are operated by JAMESTOWN 1.
The district has 5 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 8.8:1. 22.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Jamestown, ND has a population of 15,850, a median household income of $53,389, and an unemployment rate of 5.7%.
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.
Jamestown averages 18.4°F in January and 81.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 21.1 inches
with about 46.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Jamestown, ND is covered by 3 ZIP codes: 58401, 58405, 58402.
The population of Jamestown, North Dakota is 15,850 with a median age of 38.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Jamestown: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $185,300, median household income $53,389, crime index 40 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Jamestown side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.