Retire in North Dakota: Cost, Taxes & FIRE Number for 2026
Retiring in North Dakota costs about $49,800 a year on average, earning a B retirement tax grade and a #20 healthcare ranking. Here's the full breakdown — cost, taxes, and how much you actually need saved.
What It Costs to Retire in North Dakota
The average retiree in North Dakota spends about $49,800 a year ($4,150/month), based on BLS spending data for households 65 and older, adjusted for North Dakota's cost of living. That works out to a standard retirement number of $1,245,000 under the 4% rule, or $1.42M for early retirees using the more conservative 3.5% FIRE withdrawal rate.
How the numbers below are calculated:
Annual cost = BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024 (65+ household spending) × North Dakota's cost-of-living index (MERIC Q3 2025).
Standard Retirement Number = Annual Cost ÷ 0.04 (4% rule, ~30-year horizon)
FIRE Number = Annual Cost ÷ 0.035 (3.5% rule, 40–50+ year horizon for early retirees)
North Dakota earns a B retirement tax grade from Plootus Research and ranks #20 of 50 states for healthcare quality. Combined with an average annual salary of $63,720 for working residents (median $53,080), that gives a fuller picture of what building — and eventually spending down — a nest egg looks like here.
North Dakota Retirement at a Glance
| Average annual retirement cost | $49,800/yr ($4,150/mo) |
| Standard Retirement Number (4% rule) | $1,245,000 |
| FIRE Number (3.5% SWR) | $1.42M |
| Retirement Tax Grade | B |
| State Income Tax | 2.9% max |
| Social Security Tax | ✅ No tax |
| Healthcare Quality Rank | #20 of 50 |
| FIRE-Friendliness Rating | ★★★★☆ |
| Avg. Annual Salary (working residents) | $63,720 |
| Median Annual Salary (working residents) | $53,080 |
Sources: BLS CES 2024 (65+); MERIC Q3 2025; BLS OEWS May 2024; Plootus Research 2026.
Your North Dakota-Adjusted Retirement Number
Pre-filled with North Dakota's average retirement spending — adjust for your own situation.
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How North Dakota Compares to Nearby States
| State | Annual Cost | Retirement Number | Tax Grade | HC Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $49,800 | $1,245,000 | B | #20 |
| Missouri | $49,500 | $1,237,500 | B+ | #32 |
| Iowa | $50,200 | $1,255,000 | B | #28 |
| Ohio | $50,500 | $1,262,500 | C+ | #37 |
How North Dakota Treats Retirees on Taxes and Healthcare
North Dakota carries a B retirement tax grade from Plootus Research — an above-average, generally tax-friendly state for retirees with one of the lowest income tax rates in the country.
State Income Tax
North Dakota's state income tax tops out at just 2.9% — one of the lowest rates in the country. Check current brackets and any retirement-income deductions before you file.
Social Security Tax
North Dakota does not tax Social Security benefits, one of the factors behind its B tax grade. Confirm current rules with a tax professional as exemptions can vary.
North Dakota ranks #20 nationally for healthcare quality — a slightly above-average result, worth researching specific providers and hospital systems in your target city.
Frequently Asked Questions: Retiring in North Dakota
North Dakota earns a B retirement tax grade and ranks #20 of 50 for healthcare quality. Average annual retirement spending runs about $49,800, requiring roughly $1,245,000 in savings under the standard 4% withdrawal rule. Whether it's a good fit depends on your priorities — North Dakota's state income tax is 2.9% max, and it does not tax Social Security.
North Dakota does not tax Social Security benefits, one of the factors behind its B tax grade. Confirm current thresholds and exemptions with a tax professional, since rules change year to year.
Using the standard 4% rule, retiring in North Dakota on its average annual cost of $49,800 requires approximately $1,245,000 in savings. That figure excludes Social Security, which most retirees layer on top to reduce the amount they need from their own portfolio.
At a 3.5% safe withdrawal rate — the more conservative rate recommended for early retirees facing a 40–50+ year horizon — North Dakota's FIRE number is approximately $1.42M, based on its $49,800/year average cost. Early retirees should also budget separately for healthcare before Medicare eligibility at 65.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024 (65+ age group)
- Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), Cost of Living Index Q3 2025
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024
- Kiplinger, Retirement Taxes 2026; WalletHub Best States to Retire 2026
- Plootus Research 2026 (tax grades, healthcare rank, FIRE ratings)
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