Net monthly gain vs. staying home
+$3,420/mo
Worth the move.
Effective hourly at Grand Forks
$68.00/hr
CoL-adjusted + per diem + state tax
→Per diem: $100/day × 22 days = $2,200/mo (non-taxable)
→Housing savings: $1,200 - $900 = +$300/mo
→Scale premium: $920/mo after 0% ND tax
→No ND income tax: saves ~$398/mo vs. your home state
The per diem math
$100/day × 22 working days = $2,200/month. That is completely non-taxable. After paying $900/month for housing in Grand Forks, you net $2,500/month from the per diem alone — before any scale difference.
Per diem and housing vary by contractor and project. Always confirm current per diem with the hall for the specific call before making the move.