Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $804 in North Dakota versus $817 in Ohio. Overall, North Dakota runs roughly 2% cheaper on rent than Ohio, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $66,029 in North Dakota and $51,707 in Ohio — about 22% higher in North Dakota. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5%
5.75%
+0.8 pp in Ohio
Income Tax (top rate)
2.50%
2.75%
+0.3 pp in Ohio
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$804
$817
+2% in Ohio
Median Home Value
$269,800
$215,300
+20% in North Dakota
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$66,029
$51,707
+22% in North Dakota
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
42.4°F
52.7°F
+10.3°F in Ohio
North Dakota vs Ohio — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in North Dakota or Ohio?
- North Dakota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $804 runs about 2% below Ohio's $817, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in North Dakota than in Ohio?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in North Dakota versus $33,000 in Ohio.
- Which has lower taxes, North Dakota or Ohio?
- North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in North Dakota/Ohio — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.