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Moving from Alabama to North Dakota

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Affordable Southern living, college-football devout, slower pace. vs. Energy boom, lowest unemployment, harshest winters.

AL state flag
Living now

Alabama

Capital: Montgomery

Median household income $59,674 · winter low 35°F · 213 sunny days

Affordable Southern living, college-football devout, slower pace.

ND state flag
Moving to

North Dakota

Capital: Bismarck

Median household income $73,959 · winter low 0°F · 211 sunny days

Energy boom, lowest unemployment, harshest winters.

North Dakota has an overall price level 89.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Alabama
88.8
North Dakota
89.0
Housing index
Alabama
61.8
North Dakota
71.4
North Dakota has 16% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Alabama
97.2
North Dakota
97.2
Utilities index (modeled)
Alabama
98.3
North Dakota
98.3
Electricity rate
Alabama
17.2 ¢/kWh
North Dakota
12 ¢/kWh
North Dakota has 30% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Alabama
97.8
North Dakota
97.8
Median home value
Alabama
$233,300
North Dakota
$266,100
North Dakota is 14% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Alabama
$889/mo
North Dakota
$833/mo
North Dakota is 6.3% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 84°F · Winter low 0°F · 211 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Alabama
91°F
North Dakota
84°F
North Dakota is 7.7% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Alabama
35°F
North Dakota
0°F
North Dakota is 100% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Alabama
63°F
North Dakota
41°F
North Dakota is 34% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Alabama
213
North Dakota
211
North Dakota has 0.9% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Alabama
56 in
North Dakota
18 in
North Dakota is 67% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Alabama
42
North Dakota
42
Snow / year
Alabama
1 in
North Dakota
39 in
North Dakota is 3800% more annual snowfall

Get the full AlabamaNorth Dakota report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in North Dakota than Alabama?

North Dakota's overall price level is roughly 92.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 87.9 for Alabama — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Alabama tops out at 5% income tax. North Dakota tops out at 2.5%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in North Dakota?

Most North Dakota residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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