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Quality of Life in Jamestown, ND
Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
34% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Jamestown, ND for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $12k | $22k |
| Comfortable | $37k | $55k |
| Luxury | $99k+ | $153k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $143k+ | $221k+ |
100%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
5 within 10 miles
Gas
0 within 10 miles
Hospital
3 within 20 miles
Airport
JFK — John F. Kennedy Memorial
Post Office
USPS — Jamestown, ND
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Jamestown, North Dakota, offers a notably affordable quality of life that attracts a mix of young families, agricultural workers, and retirees seeking a slower pace without sacrificing essential services. With a cost of living index of 66 (34% below the U.S. average), the city provides significant financial breathing room compared to national norms, while its population of roughly 15,000 maintains a tight-knit, community-oriented atmosphere. The median household income hovers around $55,000, aligning with the region’s blue-collar and public-sector employment base, anchored by the University of Jamestown, the Jamestown Regional Medical Center, and the nearby Spiritwood Energy Park.
How housing costs compare to nearby cities like Fargo and Bismarck
Housing in Jamestown is the primary driver of its low cost of living, with a median home value of $192,500 and a median rent of $741—both well below state and national medians. For context, a comparable home in Fargo (95 miles east) would cost roughly 30% more, while Bismarck (100 miles west) commands a premium of about 20% for similar square footage. The average commute of just 18 minutes further reduces transportation costs, as most residents live within a 10-minute drive of downtown, the hospital, or the university. Property taxes in Stutsman County are moderate, averaging about 1.2% of assessed value, and utilities remain low due to the region’s access to natural gas and wind energy. Renters benefit from a vacancy rate around 5%, keeping prices stable, though options for luxury apartments are limited—most rentals are single-family homes or older duplexes.
What daily life is like for families: schools, parks, and local amenities
Daily life in Jamestown centers on a walkable downtown core, the National Buffalo Museum and adjacent Frontier Village, and the extensive Jamestown Reservoir for fishing and boating. The Jamestown Public School District serves roughly 2,800 students across five elementary schools, one middle school, and Jamestown High School, which offers dual-credit courses through the University of Jamestown. For younger children, the city operates several well-maintained parks, including McElroy Park with its splash pad and the 18-hole Jamestown Country Club golf course. Healthcare is accessible via the 89-bed Jamestown Regional Medical Center, which provides emergency, surgical, and specialty care, reducing the need to travel to Fargo for routine procedures. Retail and dining options are modest but sufficient—think local diners, a Walmart Supercenter, and a handful of chain restaurants—while the annual Stutsman County Fair and the Jamestown Blue Jay baseball games provide seasonal entertainment. The city’s low crime rate (roughly 40% below the national average for violent crime) and quiet streets make it particularly appealing for families with young children or retirees seeking safety and predictability.
Jamestown is best suited for individuals and families who prioritize financial stability and a low-stress environment over urban excitement or career diversity. The area’s affordability allows a single-income household to own a home comfortably, while the short commute and strong public schools support work-life balance. Those in agriculture, healthcare, education, or light manufacturing will find the most employment opportunities, though remote workers can also thrive given the city’s reliable fiber-optic internet. Conversely, professionals seeking high-end dining, frequent cultural events, or a fast-paced job market may find Jamestown too quiet. For anyone valuing space, safety, and a dollar that stretches further than in most of the country, Jamestown delivers a solid, grounded quality of life.
Crime in Jamestown, ND
Lower crime rates than 84% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Jamestown, North Dakota, maintains a notably lower violent crime rate than the national average, but its property crime rate is elevated, creating a mixed safety profile for residents and newcomers. With a violent crime rate of 133.1 per 100,000 residents, the city is significantly safer than the U.S. average of roughly 380 per 100,000. However, the property crime rate of 1,362.3 per 100,000 sits above the national median, meaning theft, burglary, and vehicle break-ins are more common concerns than physical violence.
Crime in context
When compared to other cities of similar size in the Upper Midwest, Jamestown’s violent crime rate is a clear positive. It is roughly one-third the national rate and well below the rates seen in larger North Dakota cities like Fargo or Bismarck. Property crime, however, is a different story. The city’s rate exceeds both the state average (approximately 1,200 per 100,000) and the national average (around 1,950 per 100,000), though it remains lower than many high-crime urban centers. This pattern—low violence but elevated property offenses—is typical of smaller communities that serve as regional hubs, where transient populations and economic activity can drive theft and vandalism.
What residents experience
For most people living in Jamestown, daily life does not involve a high risk of violent victimization. The city’s police department reports that the majority of violent incidents are domestic in nature or occur between individuals who know each other, rather than random attacks on strangers. Property crime is the more tangible issue: residents commonly report unlocked vehicle entries, theft from construction sites, and occasional residential burglaries. The Jamestown Police Department has responded by increasing patrols in commercial districts and promoting neighborhood watch programs. It is worth noting that Stutsman County, where Jamestown is located, operates under a traditional prosecutorial approach rather than a progressive or reform-oriented one. This means that offenders are generally held accountable through standard charging and sentencing practices, which can provide a greater sense of security for victims and the public compared to jurisdictions with lenient, offender-focused policies.
Neighborhood-level variation in crime is modest but present. The area around the University of Jamestown and the downtown core near 1st Avenue sees slightly higher reports of theft and vandalism, largely tied to foot traffic and student activity. Residential areas on the city’s north and west sides, such as those near McElroy Park and the Jamestown Reservoir, tend to have lower incident rates. Overall, Jamestown offers a safe environment for families and retirees, provided residents take standard precautions like locking vehicles and securing outdoor property.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-19T04:56:46.000Z
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