Alabama to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 1,639 mile interstate move from Alabama to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humidity vs fresher air), food & health (like Barbecue Ribs vs Knoephla Soup), real estate & housing (antebellum, cottage vs split-level, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Barbecue Ribs and Fried Catfish, but get your taste buds ready for Knoephla Soup & Bison Steak
- North Dakota housing costs are 12% more expensive than they are in Alabama
- Rent in North Dakota is 30.76% more affordable than in Alabama
- Moving from Alabama to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Alabama to North Dakota movers is MoveDaddy
Alabama to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to North Dakota
- Humidity
- Severe storms
- Sweltering summers
- Fresher air
- Mild summers
- Less crowding
- Limited dining options
- Harsh winters
- Smaller cities
- Southern cuisine
- Historical sites
- Lively festivals
Pros of moving from Alabama to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to humidity and hello to fresher air
- Look forward to moving away from severe storms and moving to North Dakota with mild summers
- Swap the sweltering summers of Alabama for less crowding in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Alabama to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from southern cuisine in Alabama to live with limited dining options in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of historical sites and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
- Time to bid farewell to lively festivals and get used to smaller cities in North Dakota
Alabama vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alabama | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Barbecue Ribs | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Catfish | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Pulled Pork Sandwich | Fleischkuekle |
Most popular vegan food | Black-eyed Peas | Lentil Stew |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Alabama to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Barbecue Ribs of Alabama for the equally delicious Knoephla Soup of North Dakota. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful Fried Catfish and sumptuous Pulled Pork Sandwich, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Fleischkuekle to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black-eyed Peas they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Stew of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Dreamland BBQ, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q. After the boxes are unpacked in North Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to North Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Kroll's Diner, Pirogue Grille, and The Walrus Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota, compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and North Dakota
Comparison | Alabama | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Cottage | Split-level, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Privacy | Energy efficiency, Proximity to parks |
- The Antebellum and Cottage architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Split-level and Ranch architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and proximity to parks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Dakota is more walkable than Alabama.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Dakota is more bike-friendly than Alabama.
- North Dakota has more of an urban feel than Alabama.
- North Dakota housing costs are 12% more expensive than they are in Alabama, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Alabamaβs $226,045.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
- Rent in North Dakota is 30.76% more affordable than in Alabama.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and North Dakota
Comparison | Alabama | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Blizzards, Floods |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 72Β°F | 82Β°F / 58Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57Β°F / 36Β°F | 24Β°F / 2Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 56" | 18" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1" | 50" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Alabama to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Alabama.
- North Dakota has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Alabama.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and floods in North Dakota.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 8 degrees colder than in Alabama.
- The average winter lows are 34 degrees colder than they are in Alabama.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 38 fewer inches of rain compared to Alabama.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and North Dakota
Comparison | Alabama | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,674 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 5.00 | 2.90 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.41 | 1.05 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.22 | 6.85 |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Finance, Automotive | Agriculture, Energy, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Growing |
Poverty | Significant | Moderate |
Homelessness | Visible | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 21% more than those in Alabama
- The COLI in North Dakota will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Alabama
- The state income tax in ND is 2.90 compared to 5.00 in AL
- The affluence in North Dakota is growing compared to moderate affluence in Alabama
- The poverty level is moderate in North Dakota compared to significant poverty in Alabama
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Alabama and lower in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Alabama | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Conservative | Conservative, with Republican dominance |
Local Politics | Local elections often emphasize economic and educational issues. | Local focus on agriculture, energy policy, and rural concerns. |
Religion | Largely Evangelical Christian, with significant Protestant and Catholic communities | Highly Lutheran, with a notable Catholic presence |
- Alabama tends to lean traditionally Conservative in its political climate
- North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as conservative with Republican dominance
- North Dakota's religious environment can be described as highly Lutheran with a notable Catholic presence
- Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Evangelical Christian with significant Protestant and Catholic communities
Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to North Dakota
Comparison | Alabama | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Greystone Elementary School (Hoover) Mt Laurel Elementary School (Birmingham) Rock Quarry Elementary School (Tuscaloosa) | Freedom Elementary School (West Fargo) Longfellow Elementary School (Fargo) Lincoln Elementary School (Jamestown) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Simmons Middle School (Hoover) Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills) Berry Middle School (Hoover) | Ben Franklin Middle School (Fargo) Cheney Middle School (West Fargo) Wachter Middle School (Bismarck) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery) Mountain Brook High School (Birmingham) Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills) | Fargo North High School (Fargo) Century High School (Bismarck) Grand Forks Central High School (Grand Forks) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Randolph School (Huntsville) | Shanley High School (Fargo) Bishop Ryan Catholic School (Minot) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Randolph School (Huntsville) The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Dakota Adventist Academy (Bismarck) |
Top 3 School Districts | Hoover City Schools Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools | Fargo Public Schools West Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools |
How Much Do Alabama to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,639 miles from Alabama to North Dakota will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 16-24 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Latitude Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,132 | 300 ft3 | $7.11 |
1 Bedroom | $3,175 | 450 ft3 | $7.06 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,254 | 750 ft3 | $7.01 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,651 | 1100 ft3 | $6.96 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,049 | 1600 ft3 | $6.91 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,340 | 1800 ft3 | $6.86 |
Top Alabama to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.