Cost of Living in North Dakota
Based on 3 cities we track in North Dakota.
Cost of living in North Dakota is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $803 a month — 25% lower than the $1,076 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $66,029, about the same as the $66,029 median across the states we track. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$803
Median Home Value
$269,800
Median Income
$66,029
Avg Temperature
42.4°F
Medians across the North Dakota cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
5%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 2.50%
Cities in North Dakota
Compare North Dakota with
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North Dakota cost of living — FAQ
- Is North Dakota expensive to live in?
- North Dakota is among the more affordable of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $803 ranks #46 of 51 and is 25% lower than the $1,076 median.
- What is the average rent in North Dakota?
- Across the 3 cities we track in North Dakota, average rent runs a studio around $723, a one-bedroom around $803, a two-bedroom around $956, a three-bedroom around $1,371 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in North Dakota?
- The median home value across the cities we track in North Dakota is $269,800 — about the same as the $270,100 median across the states we track.
- Does North Dakota have a state income tax?
- Yes — North Dakota's top state income tax rate is 2.50% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 5%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in North Dakota?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $803 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in North Dakota is $66,029.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).