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Moving from North Dakota to Pennsylvania

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Energy boom, lowest unemployment, harshest winters. vs. Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

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.

PA state flag
Moving to

Pennsylvania

Capital: Harrisburg

Median household income $73,170 · winter low 22°F · 179 sunny days

Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

Pennsylvania has an overall price level 97.6 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
North Dakota
89.0
Pennsylvania
97.6
Pennsylvania has 9.7% higher overall price level
Housing index
North Dakota
71.4
Pennsylvania
85.1
Pennsylvania has 19% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
North Dakota
97.2
Pennsylvania
99.4
Pennsylvania has 2.2% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
North Dakota
98.3
Pennsylvania
99.6
Pennsylvania has 1.3% higher utilities
Electricity rate
North Dakota
12 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania
20.9 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania has 75% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
North Dakota
97.8
Pennsylvania
99.5
Pennsylvania has 1.8% higher transportation
Median home value
North Dakota
$266,100
Pennsylvania
$277,600
Pennsylvania is 4.3% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
North Dakota
$833/mo
Pennsylvania
$1,064/mo
Pennsylvania is 28% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 85°F · Winter low 22°F · 179 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
North Dakota
84°F
Pennsylvania
85°F
Pennsylvania is 1.2% more summer highs
Avg winter low
North Dakota
0°F
Pennsylvania
22°F
Avg annual temperature
North Dakota
41°F
Pennsylvania
50°F
Pennsylvania is 20% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
North Dakota
211
Pennsylvania
179
Pennsylvania has 15% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
North Dakota
18 in
Pennsylvania
44 in
Pennsylvania is 138% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
North Dakota
42
Pennsylvania
40
Pennsylvania has 4.8% lower AQI
Snow / year
North Dakota
39 in
Pennsylvania
43 in
Pennsylvania is 10% more annual snowfall

Get the full North DakotaPennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania than North Dakota?

Pennsylvania's overall price level is roughly 96.8 (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. Pennsylvania tops out at 3.07%.

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

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

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