North Dakota Cost of Living Calculator 2026

Compare cost of living in North Dakota to other US states and cities. See equivalent salary needed when relocating.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated October 19, 2026 · Methodology

$

Equivalent Salary Needed

$81,981.98

Difference

-$18,018.02

Cost Difference

-18.02%

Cost of Living Comparison

Austin, TX Index111
Fargo, ND Index91
National Average100
Your Current Salary$100,000.00
Equivalent in Fargo, ND$81,981.98
You would need less$18,018.02

Breakdown by Category (Annual)

Housing-29.17%
Current (Austin, TX)$40,000.00
Target (Fargo, ND)$28,333.33
Food & Groceries+0.00%
Current (Austin, TX)$15,000.00
Target (Fargo, ND)$15,000.00
Transportation-14.00%
Current (Austin, TX)$15,000.00
Target (Fargo, ND)$12,900.00
Healthcare+2.86%
Current (Austin, TX)$10,000.00
Target (Fargo, ND)$10,285.71

Cost of living indices are approximate and based on aggregate data. Individual expenses may vary significantly. Housing costs tend to have the largest impact when moving between cities.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

North Dakota Cost of Living Overview

Understanding the cost of living in North Dakota means looking at taxes, housing, and everyday expenses together. North Dakota levies a progressive income tax, which directly impacts take-home pay. The average property tax rate is 0.94%, and the state sales tax rate is 5.00%.

North Dakota tends to land in the affordable column for U.S. households, and its tax mix is a big reason. The income tax is among the lowest of the states that tax wages, with a 0% band that covers the first $49,575 of a single filer's taxable income and a 2.5% top rate, the sales tax sits at a moderate 5% with groceries and prescriptions exempt, and property tax averages about 0.94% -- just above the national norm. Together those three keep a larger share of a North Dakota paycheck inside the household budget than in higher-tax states, even before housing enters the picture.

Housing is where local differences bite hardest. Fargo, the state's largest market, generally costs more than Bismarck or smaller towns, and the western oil region has historically seen rents swing with energy activity. When comparing a salary offer between two North Dakota cities -- or against one out of state -- weigh the full stack: the low income tax, the 5% sales tax on taxable spending, the roughly 0.94% property tax, and the rent or mortgage that dominates most budgets. A higher nominal salary elsewhere can lose its edge once a steeper income tax and pricier housing are netted out.

North Dakota Cost Snapshot (2026)

Avg. Property Tax Rate 0.94%
State Sales Tax Rate 5.00%
Minimum Wage $7.25/hr
State Income Tax Progressive (up to 2.5%)
State Disability Insurance (SDI) No
Estate / Inheritance Tax No
Local/City Taxes Cities and counties may add local sales taxes of up to about 3.75% on top of the 5% state rate (combined rates reach roughly 8.75%).

City indexes (U.S. average = 100) are planning estimates on one scale. The 29 cities added in August 2026 were reconciled from BestPlaces city pages, the Payscale and RentCafe cost-of-living calculators (both built on the C2ER Cost of Living Index) and the MERIC state index for Q1 2026; the original 30 large metros date from April 2026 and have not been re-checked since. Local rents and home prices can differ a lot within a metro, and the equivalent salary does not account for income taxes.

Official Sources:

North Dakota Cost of Living FAQ

Is North Dakota an expensive state to live in?
Relative to the national average, North Dakota generally runs affordable, helped by a low income tax, a moderate 5% sales tax with grocery and medicine exemptions, and roughly 0.94% property taxes. Housing is typically reasonable outside the priciest neighborhoods of Fargo. Energy-driven swings in the western part of the state can push local costs up or down over time.
How do North Dakota's taxes affect my household budget?
The state taxes nothing on the first $49,575 of a single filer's taxable income and 1.95% to 2.5% above it, adds 5% on most taxable purchases, and local governments bill property tax averaging about 0.94% of home value. Because the income tax is on the low end and the property rate sits close to the national average, more of each paycheck stays available for housing, food, and savings than in many higher-tax states. Exempt groceries and prescriptions further ease the sales-tax load on essentials.
How should I compare a salary between two North Dakota cities?
Hold the state taxes constant -- the income tax and the 5% sales tax apply statewide -- and focus on what differs locally: housing costs and any local sales-tax add-ons, plus the property tax mill levies in each district. Fargo usually carries higher housing costs than Bismarck or smaller communities. A modestly higher salary can be erased by a meaningfully higher rent.
Does North Dakota's low income tax really make a difference?
It can, especially against neighboring or coastal states with graduated brackets reaching well above North Dakota's 2.5% top rate. On the same income, a North Dakota resident keeps more after state tax than someone in a high-bracket state. The effect compounds with the state's exemption of groceries, prescriptions, and Social Security benefits, all of which trim the everyday tax burden.

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