Arizona to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 1,527 mile interstate move from Arizona to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like intense summer heat vs cooler temperatures), food & health (like Chimichanga vs Lefse), real estate & housing (spanish colonial, ranch vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chimichanga and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for Lefse & Walleye
- North Dakota housing costs are 41% less expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in North Dakota is 46.67% more affordable than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Arizona to North Dakota movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to North Dakota
- Intense summer heat
- High cost of living
- Water scarcity
- Cooler temperatures
- Lower housing costs
- More abundant water
- Cold, long winters
- Fewer cultural events
- Quieter nightlife
- Year-round sunshine
- Diverse cultural scene
- Vibrant nightlife
Pros of moving from Arizona to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to intense summer heat and hello to cooler temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to North Dakota with lower housing costs
- Swap the water scarcity of Arizona for more abundant water in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Arizona to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from year-round sunshine in Arizona to live with cold and long winters in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse cultural scene and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural events
- Time to bid farewell to vibrant nightlife and get used to quieter nightlife in North Dakota
Arizona vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | Lefse |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Walleye |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Fry Bread Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | Knoephla Soup (Vegan Version) |
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 Arizona to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious Lefse of North Dakota. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Tacos, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Fry Bread Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Knoephla Soup (Vegan Version) of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and Durant's. 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, Pit 109, and The Walrus Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota, compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and North Dakota
Comparison | Arizona | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial, Ranch | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Pool, Air Conditioning | Large Yards, Garage Space |
- The Spanish Colonial and Ranch architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference pools and air conditioning, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and garage space.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; North Dakota is more walkable than Arizona.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; North Dakota is less bike-friendly than Arizona.
- North Dakota has more of an urban feel than Arizona.
- North Dakota housing costs are 41% less expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in North Dakota is 46.67% more affordable than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and North Dakota
Comparison | Arizona | 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 | Heatwaves, Wildfires | Blizzards, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 104Β°F / 81Β°F | 82Β°F / 57Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 67Β°F / 46Β°F | 23Β°F / 3Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 8.04 | 17.8 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.3 | 52 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 30% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- North Dakota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible heatwaves and wildfires in Arizona, 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 22 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 43 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 9.8 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and North Dakota
Comparison | Arizona | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 4.5% | 2.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.72% | 1.05% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.4% | 5.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Tourism, Agriculture | Oil, Agriculture, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Rising |
Poverty | Medium | Low |
Homelessness | Concerning | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 3% less than in Arizona
- The COLI in North Dakota will be 6% lower than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in ND is 2.9% compared to 4.5% in AZ
- The affluence in North Dakota is rising compared to moderate affluence in Arizona
- The poverty level is low in North Dakota compared to medium in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is concerning in Arizona and minimal in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Arizona | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Purple state, with a balance of Republican and Democrat representation | Strongly Republican, especially in local elections |
Local Politics | Mixture of conservative and liberal policies, depending on the county | Largely conservative policies across the state |
Religion | Diverse, with significant Catholic, Protestant, and Mormon communities | Primarily Protestant, with a significant Lutheran presence |
- Arizona tends to lean purple state with a balance of Republican and Democrat representation in its political climate
- North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican, especially in local elections
- North Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant with a significant Lutheran presence
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with significant Catholic, Protestant, and Mormon communities
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to North Dakota
Comparison | Arizona | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler) BASIS Chandler Archway Classical Academy (Scottsdale) | Freedom Elementary (West Fargo) Liberty Elementary (Bismarck) Discovery Elementary (Grand Forks) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | BASIS Chandler BASIS Peoria BASIS Oro Valley | Ben Franklin Middle School (Fargo) Horizon Middle School (Bismarck) Wachter Middle School (Bismarck) |
Top 3 High School Schools | BASIS Scottsdale BASIS Chandler BASIS Oro Valley | Fargo North High School Bismarck High School Century High School (Bismarck) |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix) Salpointe Catholic High School (Tucson) | Shanley High School (Fargo) St. Mary's Central High School (Bismarck) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) The Gregory School (Tucson) Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale) | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Fargo Christian School (Fargo) |
Top 3 School Districts | Chandler Unified School District Scottsdale Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools West Fargo Public Schools |
How Much Do Arizona to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,527 miles from Arizona 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: 3.5-11 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sterling Interstate LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,068 | 300 ft3 | $6.89 |
1 Bedroom | $3,080 | 450 ft3 | $6.84 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,095 | 750 ft3 | $6.79 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,418 | 1100 ft3 | $6.74 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,710 | 1600 ft3 | $6.69 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,959 | 1800 ft3 | $6.64 |
Top Arizona to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to North Dakota