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Moving from Washington to North Dakota

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side. vs. Energy boom, lowest unemployment, harshest winters.

WA state flag
Living now

Washington

Capital: Olympia

Median household income $90,325 · winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days

Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

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.

North Dakota has an overall price level 89.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Washington
107.0
North Dakota
89.0
North Dakota has 17% lower overall price level
Housing index
Washington
126.0
North Dakota
71.4
North Dakota has 43% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Washington
101.8
North Dakota
97.2
North Dakota has 4.4% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Washington
101.1
North Dakota
98.3
North Dakota has 2.7% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
North Dakota
12 ¢/kWh
North Dakota has 17% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Washington
101.4
North Dakota
97.8
North Dakota has 3.6% lower transportation
Median home value
Washington
$602,200
North Dakota
$266,100
North Dakota is 56% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Washington
$1,641/mo
North Dakota
$833/mo
North Dakota is 49% 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
Washington
79°F
North Dakota
84°F
North Dakota is 6.3% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Washington
35°F
North Dakota
0°F
North Dakota is 100% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Washington
50°F
North Dakota
41°F
North Dakota is 17% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Washington
152
North Dakota
211
North Dakota has 39% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Washington
40 in
North Dakota
18 in
North Dakota is 54% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Washington
39
North Dakota
42
North Dakota has 7.7% higher AQI
Snow / year
Washington
29 in
North Dakota
39 in
North Dakota is 34% more annual snowfall

Get the full WashingtonNorth 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 Washington?

North Dakota's overall price level is roughly 92.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 105.8 for Washington — 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?

Washington tops out at 0% 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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