A good salary in North Dakota provides solid purchasing power, with strong wages driven by the energy sector and consistently low unemployment.
Quick Answer
| Situation | Good Salary | Comfortable Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Single, ND average | $48,000-$62,000 | $38,000-$48,000 |
| Single in Fargo | $50,000-$65,000 | $40,000-$50,000 |
| Single in Bismarck | $48,000-$62,000 | $38,000-$48,000 |
| Family of 4 | $78,000-$100,000 | $62,000-$78,000 |
Key advantage: North Dakota has extremely low unemployment (often lowest in US) and affordable housing.
Why North Dakota Is Affordable
North Dakota benefits from:
- Low housing costs (median home price ~$265,000)
- Low income tax (1.95% flat rate)
- Strong job market driven by energy and agriculture
- Low crime rates and excellent quality of life
Good Salary by North Dakota City
Fargo
Fargo is ND’s largest city with tech, healthcare, and education sectors.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $35,000 | $58,000 |
| Comfortable | $48,000 | $78,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $65,000+ | $105,000+ |
Median home price: ~$310,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,000/month
Bismarck
Bismarck is the state capital with government and healthcare employment.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $32,000 | $55,000 |
| Comfortable | $45,000 | $72,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $60,000+ | $95,000+ |
Median home price: ~$295,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$950/month
Grand Forks
Grand Forks is home to UND and offers affordable college-town living.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $30,000 | $52,000 |
| Comfortable | $42,000 | $68,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $55,000+ | $88,000+ |
Median home price: ~$250,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$850/month
Williston (Oil Country)
Williston in the Bakken oil region has high wages but fluctuating costs.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $40,000 | $68,000 |
| Comfortable | $55,000 | $90,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $75,000+ | $120,000+ |
Median home price: ~$320,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,100/month
How Much House Can You Afford in North Dakota?
| Annual Salary | Max Home Price (28% rule) |
|---|---|
| $48,000 | $175,000-$195,000 |
| $62,000 | $230,000-$250,000 |
| $78,000 | $290,000-$320,000 |
| $100,000 | $380,000-$420,000 |
North Dakota vs. Other States
| State | $60K Salary Take-Home | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $51,500 | 95 |
| South Dakota | $52,500 | 93 |
| Minnesota | $48,200 | 98 |
| Montana | $49,800 | 106 |
North Dakota’s 1.95% flat income tax is very competitive.
North Dakota State Income Tax
North Dakota has a flat income tax of 1.95% (recently reformed):
- One of the lowest state income taxes in the nation
- Reduced from previous graduated system
- Very simple to calculate
Top Industries in North Dakota
- Oil & Gas (Bakken formation) — Average salary $85,000+
- Agriculture — Average salary $50,000+
- Healthcare — Average salary $60,000+
- Technology (growing in Fargo) — Average salary $75,000+
- Education — Average salary $48,000+
- Manufacturing — Average salary $52,000+
North Dakota Lifestyle Considerations
Pros:
- Very low unemployment
- Low cost of living
- Low crime rates
- Strong community feel
- Minimal traffic
Cons:
- Harsh, long winters (-30°F not uncommon)
- Limited diversity
- Far from major metros
- Limited entertainment options
Related Guides
- What is a good salary in South Dakota?
- What is a good salary in Minnesota?
- How much house on $60K salary?
- US Income Percentile Calculator