Salary Guide · 2026
North Dakota Salary Guide (2026)
This guide explains how salaries are taxed in North Dakota, what take-home pay looks like at different income levels, and how cost of living affects real purchasing power across major cities.
North Dakota Income Snapshot
Individual median income
$43,800
-22% vs US median
Household median income
$73,959
US Census ACS 2023
Median take-home (annual)
$37,299
Eff. rate: 14.84%
Median monthly take-home
$3,108
Single filer, 2026
Income Tax Structure in North Dakota
Tax system: Flat state income tax (2.5%)
North Dakota now has a flat 2.5% income tax — one of the lowest in the country. Cost of living is very affordable, though the job market is more limited outside of Fargo.
Take-Home Pay at Popular Salary Levels
Single filer · Standard deduction · ND state tax · 2026 IRS brackets
| Gross salary | Federal tax | State tax | FICA | Take-home | Monthly | Eff. rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,894 | $0 | $3,825 | $42,281 | $3,523 | 15.44% |
| $70,000 | $6,754 | $0 | $5,355 | $57,891 | $4,824 | 17.3% |
| $95,000 | $12,254 | $0 | $7,268 | $75,478 | $6,290 | 20.55% |
| $135,000 | $21,314 | $0 | $10,328 | $103,358 | $8,613 | 23.44% |
Take-home as % of gross
Housing Affordability in North Dakota Cities
Based on $95,000 salary · Rent: HUD FMR 2026 · COL: C2ER/ACCRA
Bismarck
COL: 0.88× · 1BR rent: $1,000/mo
Rent burden: 15.9% of take-home
Is $95,000 enough in Bismarck? →Grand Forks
COL: 0.85× · 1BR rent: $950/mo
Rent burden: 15.1% of take-home
Is $95,000 enough in Grand Forks? →West Fargo
COL: 0.91× · 1BR rent: $1,050/mo
Rent burden: 16.7% of take-home
Is $95,000 enough in West Fargo? →Williston
COL: 0.98× · 1BR rent: $1,200/mo
Rent burden: 19.1% of take-home
Is $95,000 enough in Williston? →Popular Salary Guides for North Dakota
Is This Salary Enough in North Dakota?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $100,000 a good salary in North Dakota?
A $100,000 salary in North Dakota yields approximately $78,996 per year ($6,583/month) after federal and state taxes. In most North Dakota cities, this is above the state individual median of $43,800 — generally a comfortable income.
How much state income tax do you pay in North Dakota?
North Dakota has Flat state income tax (2.5%). For a $70,000 salary, the estimated state income tax is $0. Your effective rate depends on your income level, filing status, and deductions.
What salary is considered middle class in North Dakota?
The individual median income in North Dakota is $43,800 and the household median is $73,959 (Census ACS 2023). Middle-class income typically ranges from 67%–200% of the household median, roughly $49,553–$147,918 for a family.
Data Sources
- •Tax calculations: IRS federal tax tables
- •Payroll taxes: Social Security Administration
- •Salary data: Bureau of Labor Statistics
- •Rent data: HUD Fair Market Rents
Data updated monthly using government datasets.