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Moving from Colorado to North Dakota

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed. vs. Energy boom, lowest unemployment, harshest winters.

CO state flag
Living now

Colorado

Capital: Denver

Median household income $87,598 · winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days

Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

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
Colorado
103.1
North Dakota
89.0
North Dakota has 14% lower overall price level
Housing index
Colorado
127.4
North Dakota
71.4
North Dakota has 44% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Colorado
100.8
North Dakota
97.2
North Dakota has 3.5% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Colorado
100.5
North Dakota
98.3
North Dakota has 2.1% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Colorado
16.7 ¢/kWh
North Dakota
12 ¢/kWh
North Dakota has 29% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Colorado
100.6
North Dakota
97.8
North Dakota has 2.8% lower transportation
Median home value
Colorado
$574,600
North Dakota
$266,100
North Dakota is 54% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Colorado
$1,627/mo
North Dakota
$833/mo
North Dakota is 49% 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
Colorado
86°F
North Dakota
84°F
North Dakota is 2.3% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Colorado
18°F
North Dakota
0°F
North Dakota is 100% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Colorado
46°F
North Dakota
41°F
North Dakota is 10% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Colorado
245
North Dakota
211
North Dakota has 14% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Colorado
17 in
North Dakota
18 in
North Dakota is 10% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Colorado
74
North Dakota
42
North Dakota has 43% lower AQI
Snow / year
Colorado
69 in
North Dakota
39 in
North Dakota is 43% less annual snowfall

Get the full ColoradoNorth 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 Colorado?

North Dakota's overall price level is roughly 92.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 103 for Colorado — 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?

Colorado tops out at 4.4% 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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