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Moving from North Dakota to District of Columbia

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

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.

DC
Moving to

District of Columbia

Capital: Washington

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

Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

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

District of Columbia has an overall price level 109.9 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
North Dakota
89.0
District of Columbia
109.9
District of Columbia has 24% higher overall price level
Housing index
North Dakota
71.4
District of Columbia
155.0
District of Columbia has 117% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
North Dakota
97.2
District of Columbia
102.5
District of Columbia has 5.4% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
North Dakota
98.3
District of Columbia
101.5
District of Columbia has 3.2% higher utilities
Electricity rate
North Dakota
12 ¢/kWh
District of Columbia
25 ¢/kWh
District of Columbia has 109% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
North Dakota
97.8
District of Columbia
102.0
District of Columbia has 4.3% higher transportation
Median home value
North Dakota
$266,100
District of Columbia
$733,400
District of Columbia is 176% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
North Dakota
$833/mo
District of Columbia
$1,922/mo
District of Columbia is 131% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 88°F · Winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
North Dakota
84°F
District of Columbia
88°F
District of Columbia is 4.8% more summer highs
Avg winter low
North Dakota
0°F
District of Columbia
28°F
Avg annual temperature
North Dakota
41°F
District of Columbia
57°F
District of Columbia is 38% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
North Dakota
211
District of Columbia
197
District of Columbia has 6.6% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
North Dakota
18 in
District of Columbia
45 in
District of Columbia is 144% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
North Dakota
42
District of Columbia
47
District of Columbia has 12% higher AQI
Snow / year
North Dakota
39 in
District of Columbia
11 in
District of Columbia is 72% less annual snowfall

Get the full North DakotaDistrict of Columbia 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 District of Columbia than North Dakota?

District of Columbia's overall price level is roughly 117.4 (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. District of Columbia tops out at 10.75%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in District of Columbia?

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

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