Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between North Dakota and Tennessee. Updated for 2026.
North Dakota wins 5 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. With a median home price of $255K and lower overall costs, North Dakota offers meaningful savings compared to Tennessee. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI.
Buying in North Dakota saves you approximately $491/month ($5,892/year) compared to Tennessee, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
North Dakota offers meaningfully lower home prices than Tennessee, with median prices running 25% less ($85K difference). This gap translates to both a smaller loan and lower monthly payments. First-time buyers priced out of Tennessee may find North Dakota far more accessible, particularly when combined with local down payment assistance programs.
Tennessee has a moderate property tax advantage at 0.56% versus North Dakota's 0.98%. While the rate gap of 0.42% may seem small, it translates to an annual difference of approximately $595 when applied to each state's median home price. Over a typical homeownership period of 7-10 years, that adds up to $5K in savings.
Both states offer down payment assistance for first-time buyers. North Dakota's NDHFA FirstHome provides DCA up to $14,000, while Tennessee's THDA Great Choice Home Loan offers Up to $25,000 DPA. These programs can significantly reduce your upfront costs and make homeownership accessible even if you haven't saved a full 20% down payment. Check eligibility requirements on each state's housing finance agency website — income limits and purchase price caps apply.
The bottom line: North Dakota and Tennessee are broadly similar in housing costs, with only $491/month separating them in total PITI payments. In cases like this, your decision should be driven by lifestyle preferences — job opportunities, climate, proximity to family, and quality of life — rather than pure cost savings. Either state offers a reasonable path to homeownership.