Cost of Living in North Dakota (ND)
Compare costs across 2 North Dakota cities. From home services to salaries, see how ND stacks up against the national average.
Is North Dakota Affordable?
North Dakota's average cost index is 94, which is below the national baseline of 100. Fargo is the most affordable tracked city in ND at index 94, while Fargo is the most expensive at index 94.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 0 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
North Dakota is below the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Fargo has a cost index of 94.
Fargo has a cost index of 94.
Average median household income across 2 tracked ND cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in North Dakota
North Dakota State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in North Dakota.
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Fargo if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside North Dakota.
- Compare Fargo against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.
Cost by Category Across North Dakota
Business Startup Costs
Legal Services
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Frequently Asked Questions: North Dakota Cost of Living
What is the cost of living in North Dakota?
North Dakota's average cost-of-living index is 94, which is 6% below the U.S. baseline of 100. Across 2 tracked cities, costs span from index 94 in Fargo to 94 in Fargo.
What is the cheapest city to live in North Dakota?
Fargo is the most affordable tracked city in North Dakota, with a cost index of 94 — roughly 6% below the national average.
What is the most expensive city in North Dakota?
Fargo is the most expensive tracked city in North Dakota, at a cost index of 94. The gap between Fargo and Fargo is 0 index points, so always budget at the city level.
What is the average household income in North Dakota?
The average median household income across 2 tracked North Dakota cities is about $53,560 per year.
Does North Dakota have a state income tax?
Yes. North Dakota levies a progressive state income tax at 1.95-2.5%, which affects your real take-home pay.
How much is sales tax in North Dakota?
The combined sales tax in North Dakota averages 6.96% — 5% at the state level plus 1.96% in average local tax.