Florida to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 2,093 mile interstate move from Florida to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Florida vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricane risk vs lower crime rates), food & health (like Key Lime Pie vs Knoephla Soup), real estate & housing (mediterranean and ranch vs ranch and split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Florida), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Key Lime Pie and Cuban Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Knoephla Soup & Bison Steak
- North Dakota housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in Florida
- Rent in North Dakota is 54.12% more affordable than in Florida
- Moving from Florida to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended Florida to North Dakota movers is Sebastian Moving and More
Florida to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Florida to North Dakota
- Hurricane risk
- High humidity
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Lower crime rates
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing
- Less congestion
- Severe winters
- Limited entertainment
- Fewer outdoor activities
- Cold temperatures
- Beaches
- Rich cultural scene
- Diverse wildlife
- Warm climate
Pros of moving from Florida to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to hurricane risk and hello to lower crime rates
- Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to North Dakota with four distinct seasons
- Swap the high cost of living of Florida for affordable housing in North Dakota
- Get ready for less congestion in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Florida to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beaches in Florida to live with severe winters in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of a rich cultural scene and have to settle with the con of limited entertainment
- Time to bid farewell to diverse wildlife and get used to fewer outdoor activities in North Dakota
- Swap a warm climate for cold temperatures
Florida vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Florida | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Key Lime Pie | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular meat dish | Cuban Sandwich | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Cuban Sandwich | German Sausage |
Most popular vegan food | Mango Salad | Wild Rice Burger |
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 Florida to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Key Lime Pie of Florida for the equally delicious Knoephla Soup of North Dakota. And while the locals in Florida rave about their flavorful Cuban Sandwich and sumptuous Cuban Sandwich, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and German Sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mango Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Burger of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Florida eateries like Joe's Crab Shack, Versailles Restaurant, and Bern's Steak House. 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 Meatball House, and The HoDo Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Florida. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota compared to what you are used to in Florida. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Florida and North Dakota
Comparison | Florida | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mediterranean and Ranch | Ranch and Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Beach Access, Pools | Heated Garages, Large Lots |
- The Mediterranean and Ranch architecture that Florida is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Florida's real estate listings that commonly reference beach access and pools, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like heated garages and large lots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Dakota is less walkable than Florida.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; North Dakota is more bike-friendly than Florida.
- North Dakota has less of an urban feel than Florida.
- North Dakota housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in Florida, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Floridaβs $397,137.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to a 66% increase in Florida.
- Rent in North Dakota is 54.12% more affordable than in Florida.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Florida and North Dakota
Comparison | Florida | 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, Tropical Storms | Blizzards, Floods |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 75Β°F | 85Β°F / 55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 70Β°F / 48Β°F | 24Β°F / 2Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 18" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0"-4" | 50" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Florida to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 15% fewer sunshine days than Florida.
- North Dakota has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Florida.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida, 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 Florida.
- The average winter lows are 46 degrees colder than they are in Florida.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 32 fewer inches of rain compared to Florida.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Florida and North Dakota
Comparison | Florida | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,303 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 97.8 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 1.22% - 2.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 0.98% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.05% | 6.85% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Agriculture, Aerospace | Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Variable | Moderate |
Poverty | Concerning | Moderate |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 4% more than those in Florida
- The COLI in North Dakota is 3% lower than what you are used to living in Florida
- Bummer, by moving from FL to ND, you'll now have a state income tax of 1.22% to 2.9%
- The affluence in North Dakota is moderate compared to variable affluence in Florida
- The poverty level is moderate in North Dakota compared to concerning levels in Florida
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Florida and minimal in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Florida vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Florida | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, with a slight lean towards conservative in recent elections | Conservative, majority Republican |
Local Politics | Diverse, ranging from liberal urban areas like Miami to conservative rural regions | Mostly conservative, even in urban areas like Fargo |
Religion | Diverse religious landscape, strong Catholic and Protestant communities | Predominantly Christian, with a significant Lutheran population |
- Florida tends to lean mixed, with a slight lean towards conservative in its political climate
- North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as conservative and majority Republican
- North Dakota's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian, with a significant Lutheran population
- Florida's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a diverse religious landscape with strong Catholic and Protestant communities
Education Guide When Moving from Florida to North Dakota
Comparison | Florida | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Florida Florida State University University of Central Florida | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pine View School (Osprey) Doral Academy Charter School (Doral) Okaloosa STem Center (Fort Walton Beach) | Freedom Elementary School (West Fargo) Liberty Elementary School (Bismarck) Centennial Elementary School (Fargo) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Bak Middle School of the Arts (West Palm Beach) Archimedean Middle Conservatory (Miami) MAST Academy (Key Biscayne) | Ben Franklin Middle School (Fargo) Discovery Middle School (Fargo) Wachter Middle School (Bismarck) |
Top 3 High Schools | Stanton College Preparatory (Jacksonville) Pine View School (Osprey) Design and Architecture Senior High (Miami) | Fargo North High School (Fargo) Central High School (Grand Forks) Century High School (Bismarck) |
Top 3 private high schools | Bolles School (Jacksonville) American Heritage School (Plantation) Berkeley Preparatory School (Tampa) | Shanley High School (Fargo) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Trinity High School (Dickinson) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Ransom Everglades School (Coconut Grove) Pine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale) American Heritage School (Plantation) | Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Trinity Christian School (Williston) |
Top 3 School Districts | Sarasota County Schools St. Johns County School District Okaloosa County School District | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools West Fargo Public Schools |
How Much Do Florida to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 2,093 miles from Florida to North Dakota will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,389 | 300 ft3 | $7.96 |
1 Bedroom | $3,561 | 450 ft3 | $7.91 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,898 | 750 ft3 | $7.86 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,595 | 1100 ft3 | $7.81 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,422 | 1600 ft3 | $7.76 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,884 | 1800 ft3 | $7.71 |
Top Florida to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Florida to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sebastian Moving and More
Best moving company overall for Florida to North Dakota