What’s an Acre of Land Worth in North Dakota in 2026?

North Dakota land values are moving fast—especially for productive cropland and quality pasture. If you’re buying, selling, or benchmarking an appraisal, the most useful answer isn’t a single statewide number. It’s a range shaped by region, land capability, access, and income potential.

North Dakota land values: the most current benchmarks

Recent reports show continued momentum in North Dakota cropland and pasture values, with notable regional breakouts.

Statewide cropland values (2022–2025)

North Dakota cropland values increased from $2,519 per acre in 2022 to $3,534 per acre in 2025—a nearly 40% overall increase, according to North Dakota State University Extension (NDSU).

In 2025 alone, the state average cropland price rose 10.55%, according to North Dakota State University Extension (NDSU).

Using a different statewide dataset, North Dakota cropland value increased 8.6% in 2025, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). (Different surveys and methods can produce different percentage changes, but both point in the same direction: higher values.)

Pasture values (2025) and what’s trending into 2026

Pasture isn’t standing still either. North Dakota pasture value averaged $1,920 per acre in 2025, up $90 (4.9%) from 2024, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Looking at near-term market direction, North Dakota pasture benchmarks improved 7.5% in the past six months and 16.2% in the past 12 months entering 2026, according to AgCountry.

What drives an acre’s value in North Dakota?

Land prices aren’t random. Buyers pay for income potential, operating efficiency, and optionality—what the land can do today and what it could support tomorrow.

1) Location and local demand

Proximity to strong farm operators, grain handling, highways, and regional hubs can push values up. Land near Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and other high-activity corridors often sees deeper buyer pools and more competitive bidding than remote tracts.

2) Productivity: soil, drainage, and yield reliability

In North Dakota, “good dirt” still commands a premium. Soil characteristics, drainage, salinity risk, and field shape affect operating costs and yield stability—especially over multiple crop cycles.

3) Income potential (cash rent) and capitalization

Cash rent trends often mirror land value trends because they reflect what the land can earn.

• Statewide cropland cash rental rates increased 4.25% in 2025, according to North Dakota State University Extension (NDSU).
• The cropland rent-to-value ratio in North Dakota was 2.34% in 2025, according to North Dakota State University Extension (NDSU). This ratio helps buyers compare rent income against purchase price when evaluating returns.

4) Mineral rights and energy exposure

In western North Dakota, mineral rights and energy activity can change the math quickly. When buyers factor in mineral income potential (or risk), surface land values may move differently than purely agriculture-driven markets.

5) Access, utilities, and usability

Road access, field approaches, nearby power, water, and other infrastructure can materially affect both purchase value and future marketability. A tract that’s easy to farm—or easy to build on or lease—usually sells faster and at a stronger price.

Regional price differences: why “average” can mislead

North Dakota is not one land market. Regional production strength, operator concentration, and competition for acres can create sharply different outcomes.

North Red River Valley

The Red River Valley remains one of the state’s strongest cropland regions. From 2024 to 2025, North Red River Valley region cropland values increased 22.1%, according to North Dakota State University Extension (NDSU).

Rents moved with values there as well. In 2025, North Red River Valley cash rents increased 10.4%, according to North Dakota State University Extension (NDSU).

Northwest region

The northwest also posted a major year-over-year jump. From 2024 to 2025, Northwest region cropland values increased 19.66%, according to North Dakota State University Extension (NDSU).

Central and mixed-use areas

Across central North Dakota, values can vary widely based on the cropland-to-pasture mix, water availability, and local buyer demand. A tract with strong soils and efficient field layouts may price dramatically higher than nearby land with marginal productivity or access constraints.

What’s happening in the market right now

• Cropland values continue trending upward. The state average cropland price rose 10.55% in 2025, according to North Dakota State University Extension (NDSU), and USDA data also shows a 2025 cropland increase of 8.6% per USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
• Rent growth supports values. Statewide cropland cash rents increased 4.25% in 2025, per North Dakota State University Extension (NDSU), with a 2.34% rent-to-value ratio per the same NDSU report.
• Pasture strength is notable. North Dakota pasture averaged $1,920 per acre in 2025, up 4.9%, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), and benchmarks improved 7.5% in six months and 16.2% in 12 months entering 2026, per AgCountry.
• Regional performance is widening the spread. The North Red River Valley (+22.1%) and Northwest (+19.66%) both outpaced many broader averages from 2024 to 2025, according to North Dakota State University Extension (NDSU).

Why valuing land is still a case-by-case process

Even with strong statewide data, two nearby quarter-sections can price very differently. Drainage, salinity, soil class, field size, easements, shelterbelts, water, and improvements can change value faster than a headline percentage can explain. Interest rates, commodity price expectations, and operator competition also influence what buyers will actually pay.

How long does it take to sell land in North Dakota?

Traditional land sales can take time, especially for vacant rural acreage. Many sellers should plan for a longer marketing window—often 1 to 2 years to reach full market value—because land is a specialized asset and the best buyer may be highly specific (neighboring operators, investors, or recreational buyers).

Options if you need a faster sale

If speed matters more than maximizing price, you can consider direct land buyers who make cash offers and close quickly. This route can reduce showings, financing fall-through risk, and long listing timelines—though the tradeoff is often a lower price than an exposed, fully marketed sale.

Final thoughts

So, how much is one acre of land worth in North Dakota? The most accurate answer is: it depends on the type of land (cropland vs. pasture), the region, and the income the acre can generate. Recent data shows clear upward pressure—cropland moved from $2,519 per acre (2022) to $3,534 (2025), per North Dakota State University Extension (NDSU), while pasture averaged $1,920 per acre in 2025, per USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

If you’re serious about buying or selling, treat statewide averages as a starting point—then validate value with local comps, soil/productivity data, lease terms, and a land-focused agent or appraiser who understands your county and township.