Cost of Living in North Dakota 2026 — Housing, Income & Taxes

📊 North Dakota at a Glance — 2026

Cost of Living Index

US average = 100 · Slightly Below Average

Median Household Income

$63,000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS

Average 1BR Rent

$850/mo

Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index

State Income Tax

2.9%

Check official state rates

Average Home Price

$230,000

Source: Zillow Home Value Index

Salary Needed (30% rule)

$34,000

To keep housing under 30% of income

📈 North Dakota vs the National Average

Cost of Living

North Dakota runs 7% below the national average (index 93 vs. the U.S. baseline of 100). North Dakota's costs spiked during the oil boom in the 2010s and have since leveled off, though western towns near the oil fields remain pricier. On the tax side, North Dakota applies a graduated income tax with some of the lowest rates in the country.

💡 What Salary Do You Need in North Dakota?

Using the 50/30/20 budget rule, housing should cost no more than 30% of your gross income. With average rent at $850/month in North Dakota, you need roughly $34,000/year to live comfortably without being housing-cost-burdened.

Find out exactly how much you take home after North Dakota taxes

💰 Calculate North Dakota Take-Home Pay → 🏡 See How Much Home You Can Afford →

Is North Dakota expensive to live in?

North Dakota's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the U.S. average — that's 7% below the national average. North Dakota's costs spiked during the oil boom in the 2010s and have since leveled off, though western towns near the oil fields remain pricier. The biggest local industries are oil production in the Bakken shale formation, and agriculture, centered around Fargo and Bismarck.

What is the average rent in North Dakota in 2026?

A 1-bedroom apartment in North Dakota averages $850/month as of 2026 (Zillow Observed Rent Index). That's set against a median household income of $63,000/year, so rent alone runs roughly 16% of the typical household's pre-tax income.

What salary do you need to live in North Dakota?

Following the standard 30%-of-income guideline for housing, you'd want roughly $34,000/year to cover North Dakota's average rent comfortably. That's a general rule of thumb, not a hard rule — your real number depends on debt, family size, and where in North Dakota you're looking. Our free paycheck calculator shows your actual take-home pay after North Dakota taxes.

Does North Dakota have a state income tax?

North Dakota applies a graduated income tax with some of the lowest rates in the country. The listed rate is 2.9%. Use our free paycheck calculator to see exactly how that affects your specific take-home pay.

🔗 More Free Tools

💰 PayCalc Pro — See your take-home pay after North Dakota taxes 🏡 HomeBuy Calc — How much home can you afford in North Dakota? 📊 Compare All 50 States — Cost of Living by State 2026

Cost of Living in North Dakota 2026 — Full Guide

North Dakota's cost of living index sits at 93, meaning it runs 7% below the national average. North Dakota's costs spiked during the oil boom in the 2010s and have since leveled off, though western towns near the oil fields remain pricier.

North Dakota's Economy

North Dakota's economy centers on oil production in the Bakken shale formation, and agriculture, with most of that activity concentrated around Fargo and Bismarck. That local economic base shapes everything from job availability to how quickly housing supply responds to demand — a state built around a few large employers behaves very differently, cost-wise, than one with a diversified metro economy.

Housing Costs in North Dakota

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in North Dakota is approximately $850 per month in 2026. Average home values sit around $230,000. North Dakota's costs spiked during the oil boom in the 2010s and have since leveled off, though western towns near the oil fields remain pricier.

Taxes in North Dakota

North Dakota applies a graduated income tax with some of the lowest rates in the country. The current listed rate is 2.9%. Combined with federal taxes, this determines your real take-home pay — use our free paycheck calculator to see the exact impact on your specific salary rather than relying on a statewide average.

Data Sources

Cost of living index data is based on the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) methodology. Income figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS). Rent data is sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. All figures represent approximations and should be verified with official sources for financial planning.

All data is for informational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.

Cost of Living inNorth Dakota 2026