Iowa vs North Dakota Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$83,519
in Iowa
$82,327
in North Dakota
Each cell = 1% of purchasing power. Green = value, red = gap.
Spending breakdown
Estimated annual spending on a $75,000 salary
What things actually cost
Real dollar costs side by side
Category breakdown
| Category | Iowa | North Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 77.7 | 75.7 | +3% |
| Groceries | 96.6 | 96.8 | 0% |
| Utilities | 88.0 | 83.2 | +6% |
| Transportation | 99.5 | 99.9 | 0% |
| Healthcare | 95.9 | 108.8 | -12% |
| Dining & Misc | 94.5 | 99.2 | -5% |
| Overall | 89.8 | 91.1 | -1% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in Iowa.
What things actually cost
| Item | Iowa | North Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $210,000 | $255,000 | $45,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,088/mo | $1,060/mo | +$28 |
| Gas price | $3.19/gal | $3.08/gal | +$0.11 |
| Electric bill | $83/mo | $70/mo | +$12 |
| Infant childcare | $9,605/yr | $12,373/yr | $2,768 |
Salary equivalent: Iowa → North Dakota
What a Iowa salary buys you in North Dakota, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in Iowa | Equivalent in North Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,724 | $-724 |
| $75,000 | $76,086 | $-1,086 |
| $100,000 | $101,448 | $-1,448 |
| $150,000 | $152,171 | $-2,171 |
| $200,000 | $202,895 | $-2,895 |
Positive = your money goes further in North Dakota. Based on overall COL index ratio.
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices. Dollar amounts from AAA, EIA, Zillow, and Child Care Aware.
Overview
Iowa and North Dakota have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 89.8 and 91.1 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or North Dakota?
Iowa and North Dakota have roughly the same cost of living, with less than 1% difference in the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Is Iowa cheaper than North Dakota?
Iowa and North Dakota cost roughly the same to live in.
Is North Dakota more expensive than Iowa?
Iowa and North Dakota have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in North Dakota equals $100,000 in Iowa?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in Iowa, you would need approximately $101,448 in North Dakota. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (89.8 vs 91.1).
How do housing costs compare between Iowa and North Dakota?
Housing is significantly cheaper in Iowa. Median home prices are $210,000 in Iowa vs $255,000 in North Dakota — a $45,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,088/mo vs $1,060/mo.
What costs more in Iowa vs North Dakota?
Healthcare is 12% lower in Iowa (index 95.9 vs 108.8). Utilities is 6% higher in Iowa (index 88 vs 83.2). Dining & Misc is 5% lower in Iowa (index 94.5 vs 99.2).
Is gas cheaper in Iowa or North Dakota?
Gas averages $3.19/gallon in Iowa and $3.08/gallon in North Dakota — a $0.11 difference per gallon.
Iowa vs North Dakota cost of living — how do they compare?
Iowa has an overall cost-of-living index of 89.8 and North Dakota has 91.1 (national average = 100). They are nearly identical. Use the calculator above to see how this affects your specific salary.
How do taxes compare between Iowa and North Dakota?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. Iowa moved to a flat income tax rate of 3.80% in 2025, down from a multi-bracket system. North Dakota has a progressive income tax with very low rates, topping out at 2.50%. Use the Iowa vs North Dakota paycheck comparison to see how a specific salary compares after federal and state taxes, FICA, and deductions.
Do I need to file state tax returns in Iowa and North Dakota?
Iowa requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. North Dakota requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there.
Where does this cost of living data come from?
Cost-of-living indices are from the MERIC/C2ER 2025 Annual Average. Dollar amounts use AAA gas prices (March 2025), EIA electricity rates (2024), Child Care Aware childcare costs (2024), Zillow home values (2024-2025), and BEA Regional Price Parities.
Related tools
- Iowa Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- North Dakota Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Iowa vs North Dakota Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- House Affordability in Iowa — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in North Dakota — How much house can you afford?
- Iowa Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- North Dakota Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Iowa Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- North Dakota Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Iowa Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- North Dakota Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Compare any two states
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices and publicly available price data. Cost of living varies significantly by metro area within a state. These are statewide averages.