North Dakota vs South Dakota Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$82,327
in North Dakota
$81,699
in South Dakota
North Dakota
South 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 | North Dakota | South Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 75.7 | 85.9 | -12% |
| Groceries | 96.8 | 97.7 | -1% |
| Utilities | 83.2 | 85.2 | -2% |
| Transportation | 99.9 | 93.6 | +7% |
| Healthcare | 108.8 | 106.5 | +2% |
| Dining & Misc | 99.2 | 93.4 | +6% |
| Overall | 91.1 | 91.8 | -1% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in North Dakota.
What things actually cost
| Item | North Dakota | South Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $255,000 | $285,000 | $30,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,060/mo | $1,203/mo | $143 |
| Gas price | $3.08/gal | $3.10/gal | $0.02 |
| Electric bill | $70/mo | $96/mo | $26 |
| Infant childcare | $12,373/yr | $8,680/yr | +$3,693 |
Salary equivalent: North Dakota → South Dakota
What a North Dakota salary buys you in South Dakota, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in North Dakota | Equivalent in South Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,384 | $-384 |
| $75,000 | $75,576 | $-576 |
| $100,000 | $100,768 | $-768 |
| $150,000 | $151,153 | $-1,153 |
| $200,000 | $201,537 | $-1,537 |
Positive = your money goes further in South 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
North Dakota and South Dakota have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 91.1 and 91.8 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in North Dakota or South Dakota?
North Dakota and South Dakota have roughly the same cost of living, with less than 1% difference in the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Is North Dakota cheaper than South Dakota?
North Dakota and South Dakota cost roughly the same to live in.
Is South Dakota more expensive than North Dakota?
North Dakota and South Dakota have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in South Dakota equals $100,000 in North Dakota?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in North Dakota, you would need approximately $100,768 in South Dakota. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (91.1 vs 91.8).
How do housing costs compare between North Dakota and South Dakota?
Housing is significantly cheaper in North Dakota. Median home prices are $255,000 in North Dakota vs $285,000 in South Dakota — a $30,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,060/mo vs $1,203/mo.
What costs more in North Dakota vs South Dakota?
Housing is 12% lower in North Dakota (index 75.7 vs 85.9). Transportation is 7% higher in North Dakota (index 99.9 vs 93.6). Dining & Misc is 6% higher in North Dakota (index 99.2 vs 93.4).
Is gas cheaper in North Dakota or South Dakota?
Gas averages $3.08/gallon in North Dakota and $3.10/gallon in South Dakota — a $0.02 difference per gallon.
North Dakota vs South Dakota cost of living — how do they compare?
North Dakota has an overall cost-of-living index of 91.1 and South Dakota has 91.8 (national average = 100). They are nearly identical. Use the calculator above to see how this affects your specific salary.
How do taxes compare between North Dakota and South Dakota?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. North Dakota has a progressive income tax with very low rates, topping out at 2.50%. South Dakota has no state income tax and no corporate income tax. Use the North Dakota vs South 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 North Dakota and South Dakota?
North Dakota requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. South Dakota has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. 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
- North Dakota Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- South Dakota Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- North Dakota vs South Dakota Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- North Dakota Paycheck Estimator — Calculate take-home pay in North Dakota
- South Dakota Paycheck Estimator — Calculate take-home pay in South Dakota
- Salary After Tax by State — Take-home rankings across all 50 states
- House Affordability in North Dakota — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in South Dakota — How much house can you afford?
- North Dakota Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- South Dakota Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- North Dakota Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- South 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
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- 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.