In the context of increasing global challenges, such as the emergence of a multipolar world, climate warming, land aridization, economic crises, demographic inequalities and social inequalities, the importance of a comprehensive analysis of the sustainable development of regions and their rural territories is increasing. This process should be based on the state of natural resource potential, the effectiveness of its use and the development of key areas to increase its level. Today, this is also relevant for the North Caucasus Federal District, which is a large agricultural region in Russia. In this regard, it is important and necessary to conduct a comparative assessment of sustainable development, establish the significance of the main factors and determine their level of impact. Comparative analysis of sustainable rural development has become especially relevant in the light of global challenges such as the emergence of a multipolar world, climate warming, land aridization, economic crises, demographic inequalities and social inequalities. Comparative analysis helps to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different regions, assess the availability and use of natural, human, financial, etc. resources, which contributes to a more targeted allocation and the development of effective measures for sustainable priority development. The theoretical and methodological aspects of the indicator-index approach in the study of sustainable rural development at the meso-level of the North Caucasus Federal District are considered. The interdependencies of sustainable rural development and maintaining the standard of living of the population are determined. Groups of indexes systematize the subjects of the district, on the basis of which a two-factor model is presented and based on its analysis, directions and measures to increase its level for the future are presented.