North Dakota Cost of Living Calculator
North Dakota scores 90.5 on the C2ER cost of living index (housing 77.0, Q2 2026): $75,000 at the U.S. average equals about $67,875 here; its highest part is health care at 106.7.
| Index | North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Composite (sets the equivalent salary) | 90.5 |
| Housing (sets the equivalent rent) | 77.0 |
| Groceries | 95.5 |
| Utilities | 82.9 |
| Transportation | 91.5 |
| Health care | 106.7 |
| Other goods and services | 99.4 |
Source: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series, C2ER (https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series).
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Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index)
Additional Details
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index, Housing component)
Equivalent Salary Needed
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Salary Difference
-$7,125.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
North Dakota's figures fill the destination side: composite 90.5 for the salary, housing 77.0 for the rent, and 2.5% top rate for the tax line.
How the salary, rent and tax lines are worked out (the same for every state)
Key State Information
North Dakota ranks 14th lowest of the 50 states on the composite index (90.5). Median household income: $77,871 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B19013). Statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD FY2027): $1,107 a month.
What North Dakota's index does to a salary and a rent
| Salary at the U.S. average | Same buying power in North Dakota | Rent at the U.S. average → in North Dakota | North Dakota income tax on that salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $45,250 | $1,000 → $770 | $0 (0.0%) |
| $75,000 | $67,875 | $1,500 → $1,155 | $71 (0.1%) |
| $100,000 | $90,500 | $2,000 → $1,540 | $512 (0.6%) |
| $150,000 | $135,750 | $2,500 → $1,925 | $1,395 (1.0%) |
North Dakota 2026 single-filer rates, after North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner — 2025 Individual Income Tax booklet (Form ND-1, line 1b federal taxable income) (tax year 2025).
North Dakota and the states it borders
| State | Its composite / housing | $75,000 there = in North Dakota | $1,500 rent there = in North Dakota | $75,000 in North Dakota = there | Income tax there → here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 93.4 / 79.1 | $72,671 | $1,460 | $77,403 | 9.85% top rate → 2.5% top rate |
| Montana | 106.0 / 114.9 | $64,033 | $1,005 | $87,845 | 5.65% top rate → 2.5% top rate |
| South Dakota | 93.5 / 86.3 | $72,594 | $1,338 | $77,486 | none on wages → 2.5% top rate |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in North Dakota?
North Dakota's composite index is 90.5 for Q2 2026, the 14th lowest of the 50 states. A $75,000 salary at the national average buys what about $67,875 buys in North Dakota.
Which prices are highest and lowest in North Dakota?
Against a U.S. average of 100, North Dakota's highest part is health care (106.7) and its lowest is housing (77.0); health care is above the national average, the other five at or below it (C2ER, Q2 2026).
What salary keeps a two-bedroom rent in North Dakota at 30% of income?
About $44,280 a year: North Dakota's FY2027 statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,107 a month, and $13,284 a year is 30% of that salary.