North Dakota
90.7
composite · rank #13
- Housing
- 77.2
- Grocery
- 94.1
- Utilities
- 86.4
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026North Dakota vs Nebraska 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
Nebraska
91.3
composite · rank #16
- Housing
- 78.1
- Grocery
- 99.5
- Utilities
- 92.1
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | North Dakota | Nebraska | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 94.1 | 99.5 | North Dakota |
| Housing | 77.2 | 78.1 | North Dakota |
| Utilities | 86.4 | 92.1 | North Dakota |
| Transportation | 96.7 | 87.4 | Nebraska |
| Health care | 107.7 | 105.6 | Nebraska |
| Misc. goods & services | 98.3 | 97.9 | Nebraska |
Grocery
North Dakota94.1
Nebraska99.5
Lower cost: North Dakota
Housing
North Dakota77.2
Nebraska78.1
Lower cost: North Dakota
Utilities
North Dakota86.4
Nebraska92.1
Lower cost: North Dakota
Transportation
North Dakota96.7
Nebraska87.4
Lower cost: Nebraska
Health care
North Dakota107.7
Nebraska105.6
Lower cost: Nebraska
Misc. goods & services
North Dakota98.3
Nebraska97.9
Lower cost: Nebraska
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Nebraska | Needed in North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,331 | $49,671 |
| $75,000 | $75,496 | $74,507 |
| $100,000 | $100,662 | $99,343 |
| $150,000 | $150,992 | $149,014 |
| $250,000 | $251,654 | $248,357 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Nebraska$50,331
In North Dakota$49,671
$75,000 origin salary
In Nebraska$75,496
In North Dakota$74,507
$100,000 origin salary
In Nebraska$100,662
In North Dakota$99,343
$150,000 origin salary
In Nebraska$150,992
In North Dakota$149,014
Housing gap
North Dakota housing is 77.2; Nebraska is 78.1.
Salary planning
$100,000 in North Dakota is roughly $100,662 in Nebraska.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
North Dakota vs Nebraska cost of living FAQs
North Dakota has the lower cost of living by 0.6 index points. The composite indexes are 90.7 in North Dakota and 91.3 in Nebraska (US average = 100).
About $100,662 in Nebraska would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in North Dakota, based on the composite indexes.
About $99,343 in North Dakota would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Nebraska.
Housing indexes are 77.2 in North Dakota and 78.1 in Nebraska. 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.