If you’re responsible for placing workers in the Bakken — or paying out of pocket for your own housing on a rotation — you probably have a rough sense that some options cost more than others. What’s harder to find is a real number-by-number breakdown that lets you compare across option types in a way that actually helps you make a decision.
That’s what this post is. We’ve broken down the major housing categories used by oil field workers in the North Dakota Bakken, with realistic monthly cost ranges, what’s included, and the variables that move the number in either direction.
Note: All figures are estimates based on current market conditions in western North Dakota. Your specific costs will vary based on location, season, crew size, and negotiated rates. Use these as a planning framework, not a firm quote.
Option 1: Man Camps (Third-Party or Employer-Sponsored)
What It Is
Pre-built workforce housing facilities offering shared or private room accommodations, typically with meals, housekeeping, laundry, and recreation included.
Monthly Cost Range
- Employer-subsidized: $0–$500/month (partially or fully covered as part of compensation)
- Market rate, shared room: $2,000–$3,500/month
- Market rate, private room: $3,500–$5,500/month
What’s Included
- Room and bed
- Cafeteria meals (varies by facility — some are all-inclusive, others are not)
- Laundry service or facilities
- Wi-Fi (quality varies significantly)
- Shuttle service in some facilities
What’s Not Included
- Personal vehicle costs (many man camps are not near job sites independently)
- Any off-site expenses
Key Variables
- Whether employer subsidizes the cost (changes the calculation dramatically)
- Room type (shared vs. private)
- Facility quality and location
- Contract terms and minimum stay requirements
Hidden Costs to Watch
- Early termination fees if assignment ends before the minimum stay
- Limited availability for independent workers without employer sponsorship
- Loss of housing if employment ends (creates a financial and logistical vulnerability)
Option 2: Extended-Stay Motels
What It Is
Hotel-style accommodations with weekly or monthly rates, typically offering a room with basic kitchen facilities (microwave, mini-fridge) and hotel amenities.
Monthly Cost Range
- Weekly rate × 4: $2,400–$4,000/month (most common scenario)
- Negotiated monthly rate: $1,800–$3,200/month (when available)
What’s Included
- Private room with bathroom
- Basic kitchen setup (varies by property)
- Wi-Fi
- Housekeeping (frequency varies)
What’s Not Included
- Laundry is often coin-operated or off-site
- No personal outdoor space
- Cooking facilities are minimal — most workers still spend significantly on food
Key Variables
- Location (proximity to job sites)
- Demand levels — rates increase sharply when Bakken activity picks up
- Availability — this option disappears fast in small towns when inventory is tight
Hidden Costs to Watch
- Rates are rarely locked in for extended periods — you may see increases mid-stay
- Last-minute booking often means paying the highest available rate
- Commute costs if the available motel isn’t close to the job site
Option 3: Short-Term Rentals (Furnished Apartments / Houses)
What It Is
Monthly furnished rentals through platforms like Furnished Finder, VRBO, or direct-to-owner arrangements. A full living space — typically a studio, one-bedroom, or house — rented month-to-month.
Monthly Cost Range
- Studio / one-bedroom in Williston or Watford City: $1,500–$2,800/month
- House rental for crew (2–4 workers splitting cost): $2,500–$4,000/month total ($625–$2,000 per person)
What’s Included
- Full living space with kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom
- Usually basic utilities
- More space and privacy than any other option
What’s Not Included
- Often requires a month minimum — sometimes two or three
- Availability is inconsistent and inventory is very limited in small Bakken towns
- No on-site amenities like laundry facilities in smaller properties
Key Variables
- Location and proximity to job sites
- Market conditions — rental prices in Bakken towns track oil activity closely
- Whether crew is splitting the cost
Hidden Costs to Watch
- Very limited inventory makes this hard to rely on for planning
- Security deposits add upfront cost
- Not scalable for larger crews
Option 4: RV Parks (Long-Term / Workforce Rates)
What It Is
Monthly or weekly site rental at an RV park with full hookups (water, electric, sewer) plus shared amenities. Workers use their own RV, a rented RV, or a fifth wheel.
Monthly Cost Range
- Site rental (full hookup): $700–$1,200/month depending on location and amenities
- RV rental or financing (if worker doesn’t own one): $800–$2,000/month additional
What’s Included (in site cost)
- Full hookup utilities (water, electric, sewer)
- Wi-Fi (at workforce-oriented parks)
- Laundry facilities
- Shower and restroom access
- Secure, lighted site
Total Monthly Cost Estimate
- Worker owns RV: $700–$1,200/month all-in for housing
- Worker rents RV: $1,500–$3,200/month total (site + rental)
Key Variables
- Whether worker owns their own RV (the biggest cost variable)
- Park location relative to job site
- Whether park is genuinely workforce-oriented vs. tourist-focused
Hidden Costs to Watch
- RV ownership costs (if factoring in purchase financing, maintenance, insurance)
- Fuel for commute — factor in actual drive time to job site
- Quality varies significantly between parks — don’t assume “full hookup” means the same thing everywhere
Side-by-Side Monthly Summary
| Option | Monthly Cost (Individual) | Privacy | Flexibility | Availability |
| Man camp (employer-subsidized) | $0–$500 | Low | Low | Limited to employer |
| Man camp (market rate) | $2,000–$5,500 | Low–Med | Low | Limited |
| Extended-stay motel | $1,800–$4,000 | Med | Med | Variable |
| Short-term rental | $1,500–$2,800 | High | Low–Med | Very limited |
| RV park (owns RV) | $700–$1,200 | High | High | Good |
| RV park (rents RV) | $1,500–$3,200 | High | High | Good |
The Calculations That Actually Matter
For workers who own an RV:
RV parks are almost always the lowest monthly cost by a significant margin. At $700–$1,200/month versus $1,800–$4,000 for a motel, the gap over a three-month rotation is $3,300–$8,400. That’s real money.
For workers who don’t own an RV:
The math gets closer once you add RV rental costs. An extended-stay motel at $2,000/month becomes more competitive against a $1,800–$3,000/month RV park + rental combination. The advantage of the RV option at that point shifts to privacy, flexibility, and quality of life rather than pure cost savings.
For crew leads booking multiple workers:
The per-person cost at an RV park with owned RVs is consistently the lowest option for stays beyond 30 days. The management complexity of coordinating multiple individual bookings at a motel or in a man camp is also significantly higher than managing a block of sites at a single park.
For operations managers comparing total cost:
Don’t forget to include commute costs. A motel that’s $200/month cheaper than an RV park but adds 45 minutes of round-trip commute per day may actually cost more when you factor worker fatigue, fuel, and vehicle wear. Calculate total cost per worker per rotation, not just nightly rate.
Bottom Line
If your workers own or can access RVs and you’re placing them for stays of three weeks or longer, the RV park math is hard to beat. The combination of low monthly cost, full amenities, privacy, and housing independence from employer arrangements is a strong package for the majority of Bakken work scenarios.
Man camps make financial sense primarily when employer subsidies bring the cost down significantly. At market rates, they’re expensive relative to what workers actually get.
Extended-stay motels and short-term rentals have their place for shorter stays and situations where RV access isn’t practical — but neither scales well, and both are subject to availability constraints that can leave you scrambling when Bakken activity picks up.
Run your own numbers with the ranges above. The right answer depends on your specific situation, but the framework gives you a basis for making it with actual figures rather than assumptions.