Compare states / Pennsylvania / to North Dakota
PA → ND
Moving from Pennsylvania to North Dakota
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
Pennsylvania vs North Dakota using the same fields as the all-states table. Green and red mark the destination figure when it differs.
| Pennsylvania | North Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 3.07% | 2.5% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.34% | 7.09% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.49% | 0.98% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No | No |
| Median home value | $288,697 | $289,692 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.00% | 5.00% |
| State parks | 124 | 13 |
| National parks | 0 | 1 |
| Population density | 292.0/sq mi | 12.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 245.6 | 254.3 |
| Demographics | 74.1% White (non-Hispanic) 8.4% Hispanic 13.1% Black 3.9% Asian | 82.6% White (non-Hispanic) 4.6% Hispanic 3.4% Black 1.7% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 60 | 60 |
| Days to title a car | 20 | 30 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Pennsylvania to North Dakota?
Pennsylvania: Flat 3.07% (local earned-income tax extra). North Dakota: Top listed rate 2.5%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $3,684 in Pennsylvania vs $1,395 in North Dakota. If you earned in both states this year, see PA tax agency and ND tax agency.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Pennsylvania to North Dakota?
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 3.07% 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 Pennsylvania 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. Pennsylvania plates are not a substitute for North Dakota registration once the title clock runs out.
Checklist for new North Dakota residents from Pennsylvania
- Get a ND driver license within 60 days. Bring your PA 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. PA tax agency · ND tax agency.
- Both Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to North Dakota
- New North Dakota residents typically have 60 days to get a driver license (60 days is the Pennsylvania window in this file).
- Title the car in North Dakota within 30 days. Pennsylvania plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
- Effective real-estate property tax: 1.49% in Pennsylvania vs 0.98% in North Dakota.
- 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 Pennsylvania?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 6.34% in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to North Dakota?
The top listed rate goes down: 3.07% in Pennsylvania vs 2.5% in North Dakota. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $3,684 in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania vs North Dakota?
Pennsylvania has 124 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 Pennsylvania?
Population density is 292.0 people per square mile in Pennsylvania vs 12.0 in North Dakota.
How do Pennsylvania and North Dakota compare on demographics?
Pennsylvania: 74.1% White (non-Hispanic), 8.4% Hispanic, 13.1% Black, 3.9% 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 → Pennsylvania.
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