Moving to North Dakota? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

North Dakota is a Midwestern U.S. state, most commonly known for its expansive Great Plains and rugged Badlands National Park. It is home to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, one of the state’s main attractions, which sits between Plains and Badlands.

If you are considering moving to North Dakota, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick North Dakota Facts:

Population: 774,000 (2021)
Official Language: English
GDP Per Capita: $73,000 (2022)
Random Fact: North Dakota is the largest producer of honey in the United States.
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to North Dakota

From State	Estimated Cost
California	$4,000 – $6,000
Texas	$3,600 – $5,400
Florida	$4,100 – $6,100
New York	$3,900 – $6,300
Pennsylvania	$3,500 – $5,500
Illinois	$3,300 – $5,300
Ohio	$3,200 – $5,000
Georgia	$3,700 – $5,700
North Carolina	$3,800 – $5,800
Michigan	$3,400 – $5,400

2. North Dakota Housing Costs

Housing prices in North Dakota can vary considerably. In more upscale areas, like some neighbourhoods in the capital city of Bismarck or in Fargo, the state’s largest city, median home prices can reach $250,000 or more, while in smaller towns and more rural areas, median home prices can often be found under $200,000.

Monthly Rental Prices in North Dakota:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $840+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $500+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $1,500+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,250+

North Dakota Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in North Dakota compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 37.1% more expensive
New York is 39.9% more expensive
Los Angeles is 37.2% more expensive
Toronto is 19.2% more expensive
Sydney is 22.9% more expensive
Paris is 15.5% more expensive
Dubai is 14% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: LINK HOUSING WEBSITES
Different Areas – Different Prices: The real estate market in North Dakota displays significant diversity. In larger cities like Fargo and Bismarck, particularly in coveted neighbourhoods such as Rose Creek or Northport in Fargo or Highland Acres in Bismarck, median house prices can exceed $250,000. On the other hand, in less populated areas or smaller towns such as Williston or Dickinson, median prices often remain below $200,000.

3. North Dakota Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

North Dakota’s cuisine is greatly influenced by its agricultural roots and German and Scandinavian heritage, with a growing trend towards locally sourced and farm-to-table foods. Signature dishes include Knoephla Soup (a creamy chicken and dumpling soup), Fleischkuekle (a type of meat pie), and Chokecherry wine, made from local fruit.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $14.00
Takeout Coffee: $5.00
Bottle of Coke: $2.50
1L of Milk: $1.00
Loaf of Bread: $4.00
12 Eggs: $4.50
1kg Chicken: $13.20
1kg Beef: $12.50
1kg Apples: $6.50
1kg White Rice: $4.50

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 16.2% more expensive than North Dakota.
New York restaurants are 30.7% more expensive than North Dakota.
Los Angeles restaurants are 13.4% more expensive than North Dakota.
Toronto restaurants are 0.5% more expensive than North Dakota.
Sydney restaurants are 10.4% more expensive than North Dakota.
Paris restaurants are 8.9% more expensive than North Dakota.
Dubai restaurants are 40.3% more expensive than North Dakota.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: North Dakota boasts a variety of farmers’ markets such as the Red River Market in Fargo and the BisMarket in Bismarck, providing locally grown produce and artisan goods. For supermarkets, the state offers a mix of budget chains like ALDI and Cash Wise to more upscale options like Hornbacher’s, serving a range of customer needs and budgets.
Find Cheap Eats: North Dakota has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor.

4. North Dakota Alcohol Costs

North Dakota, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $5.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $6.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $1.60
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $5.10
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $14.00

How To Drink For Less in North Dakota:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Take a look at Yelp.

5. North Dakota Transportation Fares

Public transportation in North Dakota is somewhat limited, particularly in rural areas. Larger cities like Fargo and Bismarck offer bus services, but many residents, especially in rural communities and smaller towns, rely heavily on personal vehicles for transportation.

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in North Dakota

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

North Dakota experiences a continental climate, with an average annual temperature of around 4.5°C. January is typically the coldest month, with average lows around -18°C, while July is generally the warmest month, with average highs around 28°C. June tends to be the wettest month in the state.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $46.00
Summer Dress: $50.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): $100.00
Business Shoes: $100.00
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $50.00
Deodorant: $3.50
Shampoo: $4.00
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $4.00
Gym Membership: $16.00
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $10.00

Source: Numbeo

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in North Dakota

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in North Dakota. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to North Dakota from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in North Dakota:

Volkswagen Golf: $26,000+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $0.90

Source: Numbeo

Ways To Save Money on Driving in North Dakota:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try CarpoolWorld.

Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in North Dakota

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

The state sales tax rate in North Dakota is 5%. However, local jurisdictions can impose additional sales taxes, which can make the total rate anywhere from 5% to 8.5%, depending on the location.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in North Dakota at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in North Dakota you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from North Dakota

If you do make the move to North Dakota, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of mid-2023:

London: $1,700
New York: $330
Los Angeles: $320
Toronto: $420
Vancouver: $460
Dubai: $1,140
Sydney: $1,400
Melbourne: $1,300
Cape Town: $1,140
Hong Kong: $1,300

Other Tips on Moving to North Dakota:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in North Dakota but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to North Dakota Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in North Dakota.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
Attend Local Events: North Dakota always has something going on. Have a look at North Dakota Tourism.

12. Moving to North Dakota with a Family

North Dakota is often considered a family-friendly state, offering good schools, a low cost of living, and a variety of outdoor activities. Crime rates are generally lower than the national average, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. However, specific crime rates can vary by location.

New Parents (or parents to be): There are free and paid antenatal classes and courses. Have a look at the state’s maternity page.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Fargo, the state’s largest city, is often recognized as a top choice for families due to its quality schools, abundant recreational activities, and strong sense of community. Other notable family-friendly cities include Bismarck, the state’s capital, and Grand Forks, home to the University of North Dakota.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in North Dakota. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – North Dakota Tourism.

13. Moving to North Dakota for Work

While it is possible to move to North Dakota without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. North Dakota’s economy is heavily based on agriculture and energy, with the state being a significant producer of several crops and a major player in the oil industry due to the Bakken oil field. The unemployment rate in North Dakota is around 3.2%.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale for the specific state.
How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to North Dakota, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to North Dakota from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in North Dakota, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: North Dakota comprises 75% of Victoria.
Join Expat Groups: There are so few Australians in North Dakota that there isn’t a dedicated site. However, you can always start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to North Dakota from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in North Dakota. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: Adding together New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island create a size similar to that of North Dakota.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to North Dakota from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in North Dakota. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size: North Dakota is around 75% of the size of the UK.
Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in North Dakota, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to North Dakota you can start by comparing moving quotes here.