Nebraska
91.3
composite · rank #16
- Housing
- 78.1
- Grocery
- 99.5
- Utilities
- 92.1
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Nebraska vs North Dakota Cost of Living
North Dakota has the lower cost of living by 0.6 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
North Dakota is lower
0.6 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Nebraska is roughly $99,343 in North Dakota.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
North Dakota
90.7
composite · rank #13
- Housing
- 77.2
- Grocery
- 94.1
- Utilities
- 86.4
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Nebraska | North Dakota | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 99.5 | 94.1 | North Dakota |
| Housing | 78.1 | 77.2 | North Dakota |
| Utilities | 92.1 | 86.4 | North Dakota |
| Transportation | 87.4 | 96.7 | Nebraska |
| Health care | 105.6 | 107.7 | Nebraska |
| Misc. goods & services | 97.9 | 98.3 | Nebraska |
Grocery
Nebraska99.5
North Dakota94.1
Lower cost: North Dakota
Housing
Nebraska78.1
North Dakota77.2
Lower cost: North Dakota
Utilities
Nebraska92.1
North Dakota86.4
Lower cost: North Dakota
Transportation
Nebraska87.4
North Dakota96.7
Lower cost: Nebraska
Health care
Nebraska105.6
North Dakota107.7
Lower cost: Nebraska
Misc. goods & services
Nebraska97.9
North Dakota98.3
Lower cost: Nebraska
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in North Dakota | Needed in Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49,671 | $50,331 |
| $75,000 | $74,507 | $75,496 |
| $100,000 | $99,343 | $100,662 |
| $150,000 | $149,014 | $150,992 |
| $250,000 | $248,357 | $251,654 |
$50,000 origin salary
In North Dakota$49,671
In Nebraska$50,331
$75,000 origin salary
In North Dakota$74,507
In Nebraska$75,496
$100,000 origin salary
In North Dakota$99,343
In Nebraska$100,662
$150,000 origin salary
In North Dakota$149,014
In Nebraska$150,992
Housing gap
Nebraska housing is 78.1; North Dakota is 77.2.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Nebraska is roughly $99,343 in North Dakota.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Nebraska vs North Dakota cost of living FAQs
North Dakota has the lower cost of living by 0.6 index points. The composite indexes are 91.3 in Nebraska and 90.7 in North Dakota (US average = 100).
About $99,343 in North Dakota would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Nebraska, based on the composite indexes.
About $100,662 in Nebraska would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in North Dakota.
Housing indexes are 78.1 in Nebraska and 77.2 in North Dakota. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
North Dakota has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.