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DC to North Dakota Moving Guide

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Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 1,569 mile interstate move from DC to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like dense traffic vs less congestion), food & health (like Half-smoke vs Fleischkuekle), real estate & housing (victorian, colonial vs ranch, split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Half-smoke and Mumbo sauce with wings, but get your taste buds ready for Fleischkuekle & Bison burgers
  • North Dakota housing costs are 59% less expensive than they are in DC
  • Rent in North Dakota is 57.46% more affordable than in DC
  • Moving from DC to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended DC to North Dakota movers is Bookstore Movers
DC to North Dakota featured image

Top DC to North Dakota Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for DC to North Dakota

9.61/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Ap Pro Moving Llc featured image

Ap Pro Moving Llc

9.45/10
Exceptional

DC to North Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to North Dakota

ConsDC iconDC
  • Dense traffic
  • High cost of living
  • Urban noise
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Limited green space
ProsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Less congestion
  • Affordable housing
  • Peaceful environment
  • Slower pace
  • Vast natural landscapes

North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Less diverse demographics
  • Fewer restaurants
  • Fewer attractions
  • Quieter evenings
  • Limited transit options
DC iconDC
  • Cultural diversity
  • Extensive dining options
  • Historical landmarks
  • Active nightlife
  • Public transportation accessibility

Pros of moving from DC to North Dakota

  • Say goodbye to dense traffic and hello to less congestion
  • Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to North Dakota with affordable housing
  • Swap the urban noise of DC for a peaceful environment in North Dakota
  • Get ready for a slower pace in North Dakota

Cons of moving from DC to North Dakota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in DC to live with less diverse demographics in North Dakota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of extensive dining options and have to settle for the con of fewer restaurants
  • Time to bid farewell to historical landmarks and get used to fewer attractions in North Dakota
  • Swap active nightlife for quieter evenings

DC vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonDCNorth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemHalf-smokeFleischkuekle
Most popular meat dishMumbo sauce with wingsBison burgers
Most popular street food itemJumbo slice pizzaKnoephla soup
Most popular vegan foodVegan chiliLentil stew
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Zaytinya
  • Rose's Luxury
  • Kroll's Diner
  • The Pit Barbecue
  • Badger's Business
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from DC to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Half-smoke of DC for the equally delicious Fleischkuekle of North Dakota. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo sauce with wings and sumptuous Jumbo slice pizza, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison burgers and Knoephla soup to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan chili 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 DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rose's Luxury. 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, The Pit Barbecue, and Badger's Business.

When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than DC. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota compared to what you are used to in DC. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and North Dakota

ComparisonDCNorth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleVictorian, ColonialRanch, Split-level
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingNearby Metro, Historic charmSpacious yards, Quiet neighborhoods
  • The Victorian and Colonial architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of North Dakota.
  • Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference nearby metro stations and historic charm, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Dakota is less walkable than DC.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; North Dakota is less bike-friendly than DC.
  • North Dakota has less of an urban feel than DC.
  • North Dakota housing costs are 59% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to DC’s $619,320.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
  • Rent in North Dakota is 57.46% more affordable than in DC.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between DC and North Dakota

ComparisonDCNorth Dakota
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, FloodsBlizzards, Floods
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F / 71Β°F82Β°F / 57Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47Β°F / 28Β°F23Β°F / 2Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)40.8"17.8"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)15.5"51.2"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from DC to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 1% fewer sunshine days than DC.
  • North Dakota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to DC.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in DC, 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 5 degrees colder than in DC.
  • The average winter lows in North Dakota are 26 degrees colder than they are in DC.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 23.0 fewer inches of rain compared to DC.

Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and North Dakota

ComparisonDCNorth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$101,027$71,970
Cost of Living Index140.195.3
State Income Tax8.5%2.9%
Avg. Property Tax0.55%1.05%
Avg. Sales Tax6%5%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Finance, EducationAgriculture, Energy, Manufacturing
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessSignificantMinimal
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 29% less than those in DC
  • The COLI in North Dakota will be 32% lower than what you are used to living in DC
  • The state income tax in ND is 2.9% compared to 8.5% in DC
  • The affluence in North Dakota is moderate compared to high in DC
  • The poverty level is moderate in North Dakota compared to low in DC
  • In terms of homelessness, it is significant in DC and minimal in North Dakota

Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. North Dakota

ComparisonDCNorth Dakota
Political Make-upHeavily DemocraticLargely Republican
Local PoliticsFocus on urban policy, social justiceEmphasis on rural issues, energy development
ReligionMixed, with no single majorityPrimarily Christian, with a significant Lutheran population
  • DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
  • North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as largely Republican
  • North Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a significant Lutheran population
  • DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with no single majority

Education Guide When Moving from DC to North Dakota

ComparisonDCNorth Dakota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)George Washington University
Washington D.C.
Georgetown University
Washington D.C.
Howard University
Washington D.C.
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks
North Dakota State University
Fargo
Minot State University
Minot
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsJanney Elementary School
Washington D.C.
Lafayette Elementary School
Washington D.C.
Mann Elementary School
Washington D.C.
Longfellow Elementary School
Fargo
Century Elementary School
Grafton
Northern Cass Elementary School
Hunter
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDeal Middle School
Washington D.C.
Hardy Middle School
Washington D.C.
Jefferson Middle School Academy
Washington D.C.
Ben Franklin Middle School
Fargo
Horizon Middle School
Bismarck
Simle Middle School
Bismarck
Top 3 High SchoolsWoodrow Wilson High School
Washington D.C.
School Without Walls High School
Washington D.C.
Banneker High School
Washington D.C.
Fargo Davies High School
Fargo
Century High School
Bismarck
West Fargo High School
West Fargo
Top 3 private high schoolsSidwell Friends School
Washington D.C.
Gonzaga College High School
Washington D.C.
St. Albans School
Washington D.C.
Oak Grove Lutheran School
Fargo
Trinity High School
Dickinson
Shanley High School
Fargo
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSidwell Friends School
Washington D.C.
St. Albans School
Washington D.C.
National Cathedral School
Washington D.C.
Oak Grove Lutheran School
Fargo
Shiloh Christian School
Bismarck
Our Redeemer's Christian School
Minot
Top 3 School DistrictsDistrict of Columbia Public Schools
Washington D.C.
Howard University Middle School District
Washington D.C.
Georgetown Day School District
Washington D.C.
Fargo Public Schools
Fargo
Bismarck Public Schools
Bismarck
West Fargo Public Schools
West Fargo

How Much Do DC to North Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 1,569 miles from DC 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 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,092300 ft3$6.97
1 Bedroom$3,115450 ft3$6.92
2 Bedrooms$5,155750 ft3$6.87
3 Bedrooms$7,5061100 ft3$6.82
4 Bedrooms$10,8371600 ft3$6.77
5+ Bedrooms$12,1021800 ft3$6.72
Top DC to North Dakota Routes

Washington DC to North Dakota