Tax arbitrage

North Dakota take-home pay

Ranked against every other state and DC for the same salary, filing status, dependents, retirement savings, and pay frequency.

North Dakota at $85,000

North Dakota ranks 9 of 51 on a $85,000 salary, leaving an estimated $68,251 a year — $377 less than the highest-ranked jurisdiction. The full spread between first and last is $7,196.

Take-home pay at $85,000,North Dakota against the highest and lowest ranked jurisdictions
RankJurisdictionTake-homeBehind first
1Florida$68,628—
9North Dakota$68,251$377
51Oregon$61,432$7,196

Where this sits in North Dakota's schedule

North Dakota runs a graduated schedule of 3 bands. After $16,100 of state deductions it taxes $68,900, putting the top dollar in the 1.95% band and producing $377 of state tax — 0.44% of gross pay. Its 1.95% band ends at $250,400 of state taxable income, $181,500 above where this salary lands.

Where a move from North Dakota gains most

Ranked by what each would add to take-home pay against North Dakota's $68,251, on the same salary and profile. This is before cost of living, which routinely reverses the order — the highest-ranked jurisdictions here are not the cheapest places to live.

The five largest take-home gains against North Dakota at $85,000
JurisdictionRankTake-homeGained a year
Florida1$68,628$377
Nevada2$68,628$377
New Hampshire3$68,628$377
South Dakota4$68,628$377
Tennessee5$68,628$377

A single filer paid biweekly, no dependents and no 401(k) contribution, on 2026 federal, FICA and state rules reviewed through 2026-08-09. State income tax only — local and municipal taxes are excluded, as is cost of living.

Common questions

Where does North Dakota rank for take-home pay in 2026?

North Dakota ranks 9 of 51 US jurisdictions on an $85,000 single-filer salary, keeping an estimated $68,251 a year after federal tax, FICA and state tax. The spread between the highest- and lowest-ranked jurisdiction on that same salary is $7,196.

How much more would I keep in Florida than in North Dakota?

About $377 a year on an $85,000 salary. Florida ranks first of 51 and North Dakota ranks 9. That figure is before cost of living, which routinely reverses the order — the jurisdictions that keep the most of a paycheck are not generally the cheapest places to spend it.

Is it worth moving out of North Dakota to pay less tax?

Not on this figure alone. The whole national spread on an $85,000 salary is $7,196 a year, and a difference in rent or mortgage of a few hundred dollars a month erases most of that. This ranking is a starting point for the tax question, not an answer to the moving question.