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Iowa

Moderate tax burden · COL index 88

Wins 8 categories

VS

North Dakota

Moderate tax burden · COL index 98

Wins 5 categories

Iowa's top income tax rate is 3.8% vs North Dakota's 2.5%. Cost of living in North Dakota (index 98) runs 11% higher than Iowa (index 88). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Iowa averages 1.42% annually vs North Dakota's 0.88%.

Iowa
North Dakota

Taxes

3.8%
Income Tax (top rate)
2.5%
1.42%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.88%/yr
6.94%
Sales Tax (avg)
6.97%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
As income
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

88
COL Index (100=avg)
98
$215K
Median Home Price
$255K
$1,050/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,100/mo
$2K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

284
Violent Crime / 100K
285
1,626
Property Crime / 100K
1,779

Healthcare

#21 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#27 of 50
78 yrs
Life Expectancy
78.8 yrs
5.8%
Uninsured Rate
7.5%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#15 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#17 of 50
Yes
School Choice / Vouchers
No

Childcare

$1,100/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$1,050/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$135/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$125/mo
$440/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$470/mo
#8 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#1 of 50

Social Policy

F
Gun Laws Grade
F
R+13.0
2024 Presidential Margin
R+33.0

Category wins

8

Iowa

5

North Dakota

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People Also Ask

Is moving to North Dakota a good idea?

North Dakota is a great place to live and raise a family. It has been ranked No. 1 among all states for quality of life. No matter where you land in North Dakota, you will be greeted by friendly neighbors and welcoming communities.

Is North Dakota Republican or Liberal?

North Dakota has been called the “most complex [state] in the entire nation.” Nevertheless, one of the political consistencies of North Dakota is that it is a Republican state. Democrats have seldom occupied the governor's chair. Democrats have seldom held a majority of seats in both houses of the state legislature.

What are the pros and cons of living in Iowa?

Why are people moving out of North Dakota?

North Dakota ranked as the sixth most moved from state last year, with 58% of its moves being outbound. 12% of the people who moved out went straight down to Texas. The study also revealed that the main reasons people moved out of North Dakota were for a new job/company transfer (63%) and retirement (25%).

Full Iowa Profile →Full North Dakota Profile →

Your Priorities

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Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable