Compare states / Massachusetts / to North Dakota
MA → ND
Moving from Massachusetts to North Dakota
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
Massachusetts vs North Dakota using the same fields as the all-states table. Green and red mark the destination figure when it differs.
| Massachusetts | North Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 9.0% | 2.5% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.25% | 7.09% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.14% | 0.98% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Yes — 2.25% effective | No |
| Median home value | $667,829 | $289,692 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.25% | 5.00% |
| State parks | 151 | 13 |
| National parks | 0 | 1 |
| Population density | 919.0/sq mi | 12.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 314.7 | 254.3 |
| Demographics | 68.8% White (non-Hispanic) 12.9% Hispanic 7.0% Black 7.2% Asian | 82.6% White (non-Hispanic) 4.6% Hispanic 3.4% Black 1.7% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 30 | 60 |
| Days to title a car | 30 | 30 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Massachusetts to North Dakota?
Massachusetts: 5% plus 4% surtax on income over $1M. North Dakota: Top listed rate 2.5%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $6,000 in Massachusetts vs $1,395 in North Dakota. If you earned in both states this year, see MA tax agency and ND tax agency.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Massachusetts to North Dakota?
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 9.0% vs 2.5%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in North Dakota
New North Dakota residents typically have 30 days to title and register. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally. The title-tax rate used here is 5.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $1,451.00 (tax $1,400.00 + title $5.00 + registration $36.00 + plate $10.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in North Dakota
Title fee + plate + base registration + 5.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in North Dakota
After you become a North Dakota resident, you typically have 60 days to get a North Dakota driver license. Bring your Massachusetts license, Social Security number, and proof you live in North Dakota. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official North Dakota DMV. Massachusetts plates are not a substitute for North Dakota registration once the title clock runs out.
Checklist for new North Dakota residents from Massachusetts
- Get a ND driver license within 60 days. Bring your MA license, Social Security number, and proof you live in North Dakota (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official North Dakota DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 15 days before an election. North Dakota elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. MA tax agency · ND tax agency.
- Both Massachusetts and North Dakota are in the nurse compact — a multistate license can follow you. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from Massachusetts to North Dakota
- Top listed income-tax rate: 9.0% in Massachusetts vs 2.5% in North Dakota (lower in North Dakota).
- New North Dakota residents typically have 60 days to get a driver license (30 days is the Massachusetts window in this file).
- Massachusetts lists a vehicle personal-property tax; North Dakota does not in this file.
- Title the car in North Dakota within 30 days. Massachusetts plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
- North Dakota title-tax rate used here is 5.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $1,451.00 (county extras omitted).
Common questions
How does sales tax in North Dakota compare to Massachusetts?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 6.25% in Massachusetts vs 7.09% in North Dakota. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Massachusetts to North Dakota?
The top listed rate goes down: 9.0% in Massachusetts vs 2.5% in North Dakota. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $6,000 in Massachusetts vs $1,395 in North Dakota. Actual bills depend on income, filing status, local tax, credits, and residency timing. This uses 2026 single-filer brackets after a $4,300 exemption per dependent.
How many state and national parks are in Massachusetts vs North Dakota?
Massachusetts has 151 state parks and 0 national parks in this file. North Dakota has 13 state parks and 1 national parks. State-park counts follow each agency’s own list; national parks are NPS units titled National Park.
How does population density in North Dakota compare to Massachusetts?
Population density is 919.0 people per square mile in Massachusetts vs 12.0 in North Dakota.
How do Massachusetts and North Dakota compare on demographics?
Massachusetts: 68.8% White (non-Hispanic), 12.9% Hispanic, 7.0% Black, 7.2% Asian. North Dakota: 82.6% White (non-Hispanic), 4.6% Hispanic, 3.4% Black, 1.7% Asian. These are statewide estimates; cities and counties differ.
Related moves
Also see moving to North Dakota and the reverse route, North Dakota → Massachusetts.
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