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North Dakota

Moderate tax burden · COL index 98

Wins 4 categories

VS

West Virginia

Moderate tax burden · COL index 82

Wins 8 categories

West Virginia's top income tax rate is 5.12% vs North Dakota's 2.5%. Cost of living in North Dakota (index 98) runs 20% higher than West Virginia (index 82). Property taxes are meaningfully different: North Dakota averages 0.88% annually vs West Virginia's 0.57%. The median home in North Dakota costs $255K vs $155K in West Virginia.

North Dakota
West Virginia

Taxes

2.5%
Income Tax (top rate)
5.12%
0.88%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.57%/yr
6.97%
Sales Tax (avg)
6.37%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
As income
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

98
COL Index (100=avg)
82
$255K
Median Home Price
$155K
$1,100/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$900/mo
$2K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$1K/yr

Crime & Safety

285
Violent Crime / 100K
278
1,779
Property Crime / 100K
1,380

Healthcare

#27 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#46 of 50
78.8 yrs
Life Expectancy
71.9 yrs
7.5%
Uninsured Rate
6.6%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

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

Childcare

$1,050/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$850/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$125/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$125/mo
$470/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$400/mo
#1 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#45 of 50

Social Policy

F
Gun Laws Grade
F
R+33.0
2024 Presidential Margin
R+36.0

Category wins

4

North Dakota

8

West Virginia

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People Also Ask

What is the downfall of living in West Virginia?

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.

Is West Virginia offering $20,000 to new residents?

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.

Full North Dakota Profile →Full West Virginia Profile →

Your Priorities

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Quick Profiles

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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