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Moving from District of Columbia to North Dakota

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living. vs. Energy boom, lowest unemployment, harshest winters.

DC
Living now

District of Columbia

Capital: Washington

Median household income $101,722 · winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days

Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

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.

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 · EIA electricity · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

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

Overall price index
District of Columbia
109.9
North Dakota
89.0
North Dakota has 19% lower overall price level
Housing index
District of Columbia
155.0
North Dakota
71.4
North Dakota has 54% lower housing costs
Groceries index
District of Columbia
106.5
North Dakota
95.7
North Dakota has 10% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
District of Columbia
101.5
North Dakota
98.3
North Dakota has 3.1% lower utilities
Electricity rate
District of Columbia
25.4 ¢/kWh
North Dakota
12.4 ¢/kWh
North Dakota has 51% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
District of Columbia
102.0
North Dakota
97.8
North Dakota has 4.1% lower transportation
Median home value
District of Columbia
$733,400
North Dakota
$266,100
North Dakota is 64% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
District of Columbia
$1,931/mo
North Dakota
$980/mo
North Dakota is 49% cheaper to rent

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

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

Avg summer high
District of Columbia
88°F
North Dakota
84°F
North Dakota is 4.5% less summer highs
Avg winter low
District of Columbia
28°F
North Dakota
0°F
North Dakota is 100% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
District of Columbia
57°F
North Dakota
41°F
North Dakota is 28% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
District of Columbia
197
North Dakota
211
North Dakota has 7.1% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
District of Columbia
45 in
North Dakota
18 in
North Dakota is 59% less annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
District of Columbia
53
North Dakota
42
North Dakota has 21% lower AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
District of Columbia
0
North Dakota
0
Snow / year
District of Columbia
11 in
North Dakota
39 in
North Dakota is 255% more annual snowfall

Get the full District of ColumbiaNorth Dakota report

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

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in North Dakota than District of Columbia?

North Dakota's overall price level is roughly 92.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 117.4 for District of Columbia, 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?

District of Columbia tops out at 10.75% 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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