Are You Moving From or To North Dakota?
North Dakota is a midwestern U.S. state dominated by the Great Plains. Its eastern city of Fargo showcases Native American and modern art at the Plains Art Museum. The area’s immigrant history is honored at the Scandinavian Heritage Association in the city of Minot. The Great Plains give way to the rugged Badlands near the border with Montana, where Theodore Roosevelt National Park spans the Little Missouri River.
North Dakota offers unspoiled wilderness and beautiful parklands. Of the lower 48 states, it is one of America’s most scenic. Also known for haunted places stories, North Dakota seems to have a more friendly type of spirit. North Dakota’s beauty inspired Theodore Roosevelt to establish the National Forest Service.
North Dakota consistently ranks among the top states for livability and happiness and the statistics certainly don’t lie. If you are looking for a more quiet life or a place to set some roots, the Peace Garden State might be perfect for you
If you’re moving to North Dakota, there are a lot of things you’re going to need to know. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.
Moving to North Dakota
Pros and Cons of Living in North Dakota
Here are a few pros and cons to consider as you make your move to The Peace Garden State:
Pros.
- Happy state: When it comes to overall wellbeing, community, and environment, North Dakota is considered by many as one of the Top 10 happiest states to live in the United States.
- Beautiful scenery: From golden prairies to majestic bison to clear starry nights (along with glistening lakes and the Missouri River), the Legendary State is a nature lover’s paradise.
- Tax-friendly state: The top income tax bracket maxes out at only 2.9%. On top of the low tax rates, median rent ($775), and median mortgage ($1,326) are more than reasonable.
- Plentiful jobs: Combine low unemployment and lots of jobs (in agriculture, energy, software, nursing, etc.) with low taxes and low cost of living, you get a recipe for upward mobility.
Cons.
- Long, cold winters: Ready for subzero temperatures? If you’re coming from a temperate climate, buckle up (them winter boots, that is). Wintertime can be especially brutal in these parts.
- Windy: As one of the Top 5 windiest states in the nation, North Dakota can make driving and other activities a bit more difficult. Plus, it can lead to dangerously cold wind chill factors.
- Hot, humid summers: On the other side of the seasonal spectrum, temperatures can hit the 90s in the summertime. With the heat and humidity comes nasty pests like mosquitoes and ticks.
- Job opportunities: Okay, this point shows up on both our pros and cons lists. Why? Though there are many jobs and low unemployment, most work is in the agricultural and oil industries, which is limiting.
Tax Rates
North Dakota levies one of the lowest progressive state income taxes in the country with rates ranging from 1.10% to 2.90%. This top rate is the lowest of the states that have an income tax. North Dakota’s state income tax system is comprised of five brackets.
Housing Market
The typical home value of homes in North Dakota (Portal) is $237,673. This value is seasonally adjusted and only includes the middle price tier of homes. North Dakota (Portal) home values have gone up 1.3% over the past year and Zillow predicts they will rise 6.2% in the next year.
What Should I Know In 2020?
Economy Outlook
North Dakota has been enjoying a robust economy, characterized by a flourishing energy development sector, in addition to strong agriculture, real estate, and government sectors. Communities rely on the strength of their economies to generate financial resources to provide employment at all skill levels and services for their residents. Maintaining a high-quality standard of living in all aspects of life – from housing to health, to education – is influenced by a strong economy. Likewise, the vitality of our economy hinges on the continued success of all aspects of life as well.
There are a number of reasons why people might want to relocate to North Dakota. The main reasons people move anywhere are usually economic. There are many jobs available in this state, as well as some of the adjoining states. The Great Plains have generally done much better than the nation on average over the past five years. In fact, unemployment in this state has not even touched 5% since 1990. North Dakota unemployment currently sits at about 2.2% (This was as of 2012). A more recent number during the COVID crisis was about 5%.
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Traffic & Transportation
As one of the largest states in America, along with less than a million residents, North Dakota is a place of unspoiled natural splendor and tons of space. That said, if you want to get around the state, you’ll need access to a vehicle. However, there are several transportation options to choose from in more populated areas like Fargo and Bismarck.
Major Forms of Transportation:
- Air (including Grand Forks International Airport)
- Major highways and roads
- Train (Amtrak’s Empire Builder Line)
- Shuttles and buses (various lines)
- Rural bus (Jefferson Bus Line, Greyhound, New Town Bus Line)
- Personal car, truck, SUV, and other vehicles
- Taxi and limousine service (major areas)
- Ridesharing (Uber, Lyft, etc. in select areas)
Cost of living
North Dakota consistently ranks among the top states for livability and happiness and the statistics certainly don’t lie. If you are looking for a more quiet life or a place to set some roots, the Peace Garden State might be perfect for you.
The cost of living in North Dakota is lower than the national average. State of North Dakota salaries averages $48,873.00, indicating a pay rate that is lower than the U.S. average annual salary by $4,748.00. The consumer price index (CPI) of 236 in North Dakota is 3.67% lower than the U.S. city average CPI of 245. The sales tax is 5.00%.
Moving to North Dakota
Things to Know When Moving To North Dakota
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Moving is one of the most exciting and overwhelming events in our lives. While there are many moving companies and various different resources to choose from, there is only one Real Movers. If you are in the process of planning a long-distance move, and you are looking for a moving company you can trust, Real Movers is your perfect choice.
