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Moving from North Dakota to Minnesota

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Energy boom, lowest unemployment, harshest winters. vs. Twin Cities arts, brutal winters, top public schools.

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.

MN state flag
Moving to

Minnesota

Capital: Saint Paul

Median household income $84,313 · winter low 4°F · 195 sunny days

Twin Cities arts, brutal winters, top public schools.

Minnesota has an overall price level 98.6 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
North Dakota
89.0
Minnesota
98.6
Minnesota has 11% higher overall price level
Housing index
North Dakota
71.4
Minnesota
91.3
Minnesota has 28% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
North Dakota
97.2
Minnesota
99.7
Minnesota has 2.5% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
North Dakota
98.3
Minnesota
99.8
Minnesota has 1.5% higher utilities
Electricity rate
North Dakota
12 ¢/kWh
Minnesota
15.1 ¢/kWh
Minnesota has 26% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
North Dakota
97.8
Minnesota
99.7
Minnesota has 2.0% higher transportation
Median home value
North Dakota
$266,100
Minnesota
$344,600
Minnesota is 30% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
North Dakota
$833/mo
Minnesota
$1,135/mo
Minnesota is 36% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 82°F · Winter low 4°F · 195 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
North Dakota
84°F
Minnesota
82°F
Minnesota is 2.4% less summer highs
Avg winter low
North Dakota
0°F
Minnesota
4°F
Avg annual temperature
North Dakota
41°F
Minnesota
42°F
Minnesota is 2.2% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
North Dakota
211
Minnesota
195
Minnesota has 7.6% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
North Dakota
18 in
Minnesota
29 in
Minnesota is 61% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
North Dakota
42
Minnesota
39
Minnesota has 7.1% lower AQI
Snow / year
North Dakota
39 in
Minnesota
46 in
Minnesota is 18% more annual snowfall

Get the full North DakotaMinnesota 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 Minnesota than North Dakota?

Minnesota's overall price level is roughly 97.3 (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. Minnesota tops out at 9.85%.

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

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

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