So, you’re curious about living in North Dakota? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The expert movers, travelers, and worldwide locals that make up the team at Relocalate.com are here to help.
We’ve compiled the ultimate guides to answer the most common questions people just like you have about living in the great state of North Dakota.
Dive deep into the topics you’re interested in to make sure your new home in North Dakota matches what you’re looking for.
We’ll explore whether North Dakota is a good place for YOU to live, and we’ll highlight some of the best cities for you to visit, explore, and ultimately call home.
Pros and Cons of Living in North Dakota
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: no place is perfect. What matters is how good of a fit it is for you.
Relocalate.com is here to help you decide whether North Dakota is the best place for YOU to live.
Here are some reasons to love living in North Dakota:
- A lower cost of living than many other states.
- Plenty of opportunities to hike, bike or ski!
- We have plenty of hunting and fishing spots – so it’s not unusual to see deer walking down your street here.
And, on the flip side, here are some of the downsides of living in North Dakota:
- It can be difficult to get a job in North Dakota if you don’t know anyone or are unfamiliar with the area; many towns do not offer any kind of employment opportunity outside agriculture.
- And while there may be jobs available for newcomers, they might not pay well enough for someone used to making more money in another state.
- Winters can be harsh if you’re not used to that type of weather.
Read More: Is North Dakota a Good Place to Live?
Best Place to Live in North Dakota
So, you’ve got your heart set on living in North Dakota? Well, the decision making doesn’t end there. You’ve still got to decide where to live in North Dakota!
In some other articles, we’ll dive deeper into some of the best places to live in North Dakota.
Our experts have considered a whole bunch of different criteria to select the top locations, including:
- The best places to live for families, retirees, singles, young adults, outdoor lovers, foodies, and more.
- The safest places to live.
- The cheapest places to live.
- The best schools.
- The best job markets.
- The best housing markets.
- And so much more.
Just want a quick list? No worries, here are some of the best cities to live in North Dakota:
- Fargo
- Mandan
Read More: Best Places to Live in North Dakota
Checklist for Moving to North Dakota
So now you’re preparing for your big move to North Dakota. Maybe you’ve even started packing!
As you probably already know, there are a lot of things to take care of when you’re moving. Both in your current state and once you get to North Dakota.
Here are some of the major things you’ll want to take care of when you move to North Dakota:
- Updating your address with USPS.
- Getting your North Dakota driver’s license.
- Transferring your vehicle titles and registrations to North Dakota
- Getting North Dakota car insurance.
- Signing up for health insurance in North Dakota and finding new doctors, dentists, and local hospitals.
- Updating/changing other insurance policies you may need (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, pet insurance, motorcycle insurance, etc.)
- Registering to vote in your district in North Dakota.
- Updating your address with your banks, credit cards, subscription services, loans, investments, phone plans, and bill pay.
- Enrolling your kids in their new school district.
- Licensing your pets and finding a new vet.
- Setting up your utilities for your new home.
- Preparing to file state taxes for North Dakota and your previous home state.
Visit your North Dakota Moving Checklist for a detailed guide on all of the above.
Read More: Moving to North Dakota Checklist
While we’re at it, let’s cover some high-level questions and fun facts about North Dakota.
Things to Know About Living in North Dakota
As you’re preparing for your move or getting settled into your new home in North Dakota, here are some things to know about living there.
Cost of Living in North Dakota
One thing to consider when moving to a new state is the relative cost of living.
North Dakota ranks 24th on the Cost of Living Index with an overall rating of 97.8, meaning it’s a relatively inexpensive place to live.
Here is how North Dakota scores for the cost of living in each specific category:
- Groceries: 102.1
- Housing: 93.7
- Utilities: 93.3
- Transportation: 105.2
- Health: 114.8
- Miscellaneous: 96.3
The average cost of living in this index is scored at 100. The numbers above represent the percentage of the average. A number higher than 100 represents an above average cost of living, while a number lower than 100 represents a lower cost of living. A lower rank indicates a lower cost of living.
This data comes from the Cost of Living Index prepared by the Council for Economic Research (C2ER), which compiles data from cities across the country to rank and compare the differences in costs of living.
Sales Tax Rates in North Dakota
Sales tax is a way that state and local governments collect tax revenue from its residents and visitors.
These taxes are applied when you purchase something. It’ll show up on your receipt or bill. If you’ve recently moved to North Dakota from somewhere else, the new sales tax rates may surprise you.
On top of the state sales tax rates, local rates for certain counties and cities may apply and vary as well.
North Dakota’s state sales tax rate is lower] than the national average at 5%, with an average local rate of 1.96% (the highest local sales tax rate is 3.5%). Across the state, the average sales tax rate is about 6.96%.
Check with the North Dakota tax office for the most current tax rates.
Real-Estate Property Tax Rates in North Dakota
If you own or plan to own real estate in North Dakota, you’ll want to think about the property tax rates when you move there.
North Dakota ranks 29th (from low to high) for its state property tax rate of 0.98%
There may be additional property taxes on top of the rate stated here depending on your county, city, and school districts.
Check with the North Dakota tax office for the most current tax rates.
North Dakota’s Job Market & Economy
Another thing to think about when moving to North Dakota is the job market and economic indicators.
Overall, North Dakota ranks 47th for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the United States.
The GDP measures the overall monetary value of all goods and services produced within a certain place over a period of time.
Its top 10 industries (ranked from largest to smallest by economic contribution to the state) are:
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Wholesale trade
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance
- Manufacturing
- Professional and business services
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Construction
- Retail trade
- Transportation and warehousing
The top employer in North Dakota is Sanford Health.
Notable Destinations and Landmarks in North Dakota
Our North Dakota moving guide wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of some of the most iconic destinations in the state.
When you get settled in, a road trip may just be in order.
One of the most iconic landmarks in North Dakota is the World’s Largest Buffalo Monument.
National Parks that you can visit in North Dakota include:
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
These destinations are all great places to visit when you get a chance.
Facts about North Dakota
North Dakota is the 39th state of the United States that lies in the midwest region. To its north is Canada, to its south is South Dakota, to its east is Minnesota, and to its west is Montana.
What is the capital of North Dakota?
The capital of North Dakota is Bismarck.
Bismarck is located in Burleigh County with a population of 61,272.
What is the population of North Dakota?
The population of North Dakota based on 2020 US Census data is 779,094.
What is the largest city in North Dakota?
The largest city in North Dakota is Fargo.
Fargo has a population of 124,844, and it is located in Cass County.
What is the size of North Dakota?
North Dakota is 70,698 square miles, making it the 19th largest state in the U.S.
What is the state motto of North Dakota?
The state motto of North Dakota is: Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable / Strength from the soil
What is the state bird of North Dakota?
The state bird of North Dakota is the Western meadowlark.
What is the state flower of North Dakota?
The state flower of North Dakota is the Wild prairie rose.
What is the state tree of North Dakota?
The state tree of North Dakota is the American Elm..
What is the minimum wage in the state of North Dakota?
The minimum wage in North Dakota is $7.25 per hour.
What is the median income in North Dakota?
The median annual household salary in North Dakota is $63,837.