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Moving from North Dakota to Colorado

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

ND state flag
Living now

North Dakota

Capital: Bismarck

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

Energy boom, lowest unemployment, harshest winters.

CO state flag
Moving to

Colorado

Capital: Denver

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

Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

Colorado has an overall price level 103.1 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
North Dakota
89.0
Colorado
103.1
Colorado has 16% higher overall price level
Housing index
North Dakota
71.4
Colorado
127.4
Colorado has 78% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
North Dakota
97.2
Colorado
100.8
Colorado has 3.6% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
North Dakota
98.3
Colorado
100.5
Colorado has 2.1% higher utilities
Electricity rate
North Dakota
12 ¢/kWh
Colorado
16.7 ¢/kWh
Colorado has 40% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
North Dakota
97.8
Colorado
100.6
Colorado has 2.9% higher transportation
Median home value
North Dakota
$266,100
Colorado
$574,600
Colorado is 116% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
North Dakota
$833/mo
Colorado
$1,627/mo
Colorado is 95% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 86°F · Winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
North Dakota
84°F
Colorado
86°F
Colorado is 2.4% more summer highs
Avg winter low
North Dakota
0°F
Colorado
18°F
Avg annual temperature
North Dakota
41°F
Colorado
46°F
Colorado is 11% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
North Dakota
211
Colorado
245
Colorado has 16% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
North Dakota
18 in
Colorado
17 in
Colorado is 9.3% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
North Dakota
42
Colorado
74
Colorado has 76% higher AQI
Snow / year
North Dakota
39 in
Colorado
69 in
Colorado is 77% more annual snowfall

Get the full North DakotaColorado report

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

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Colorado than North Dakota?

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

North Dakota tops out at 2.5% income tax. Colorado tops out at 4.4%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Colorado?

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

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