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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 (modeled)
District of Columbia
102.5
North Dakota
97.2
North Dakota has 5.1% 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 ¢/kWh
North Dakota
12 ¢/kWh
North Dakota has 52% 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
$1,922/mo
North Dakota
$833/mo
North Dakota is 57% 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
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 (live AQI)
District of Columbia
47
North Dakota
42
North Dakota has 11% lower AQI
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, AI assistant, and 90-day 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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