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Iowa to North Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

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Planning a 712 mile interstate move from Iowa to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Iowa vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited career opportunities vs growing job market), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (ranch vs split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Dakota), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Grilled Pork Chops, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Bison Steak
  • North Dakota housing costs are 18% more expensive than those in Iowa
  • Rent in North Dakota is 5.54% more affordable than in Iowa
  • Moving from Iowa to North Dakota will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Iowa to North Dakota movers is Adamantine Spine Moving

Iowa to North Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to North Dakota

ConsIowa iconIowa
  • Limited career opportunities
  • Frequent flooding
  • Dense urban areas
  • High property taxes
ProsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Growing job market
  • Drier climate
  • Spacious living
  • Lower property taxes

North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Limited land features
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Quiet towns
  • Less road connectivity
Iowa iconIowa
  • Diverse landscapes
  • Rich cultural heritage
  • Vibrant city life
  • Well-developed infrastructure

Pros of moving from Iowa to North Dakota

  • Say goodbye to limited career opportunities and hello to a growing job market
  • Look forward to moving away from frequent flooding and moving to North Dakota with a drier climate
  • Swap the dense urban areas of Iowa for spacious living in North Dakota
  • Get ready for lower property taxes in North Dakota

Cons of moving from Iowa to North Dakota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from diverse landscapes in Iowa to live with limited land features in North Dakota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of rich cultural heritage and have to settle with the con of fewer cultural events
  • Time to bid farewell to vibrant city life and get used to quiet towns in North Dakota
  • Swap well-developed infrastructure for less road connectivity

Iowa vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIowaNorth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichHotdish
Most popular meat dishGrilled Pork ChopsBison Steak
Most popular street food itemSweet CornKnoephla Soup
Most popular vegan foodRoasted VegetablesLentil Dish
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Zombie Burger
  • The Sumatran
  • Centro
  • Kroll's Diner
  • Mezzaluna
  • HoDo Restaurant
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 Iowa to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Iowa for the equally delicious Hotdish of North Dakota. And while the locals in Iowa rave about their flavorful Grilled Pork Chops and sumptuous Sweet Corn, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Knoephla Soup to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Roasted Vegetables they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Dish of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Iowa eateries like Zombie Burger, The Sumatran, and Centro. 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, Mezzaluna, and HoDo Restaurant.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Iowa and North Dakota

ComparisonIowaNorth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleRanchSplit-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 listingSpacious yards, hardwood floorsEnergy efficiency, open concept layouts
  • The Ranch architecture that Iowa is known for will be replaced with the Split-level architecture typical of North Dakota.
  • Compared to Iowa's real estate listings, which commonly reference spacious yards and hardwood floors, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and open concept layouts.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away as North Dakota is less walkable than Iowa.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike since North Dakota is less bike-friendly than Iowa.
  • North Dakota has more of an urban feel than Iowa.
  • North Dakota housing costs are 18% more expensive than those in Iowa, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Iowa’s $214,151.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to a 36% increase in Iowa.
  • Rent in North Dakota is 5.54% more affordable than in Iowa.

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

ComparisonIowaNorth 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 DisastersTornadoes, floodsBlizzards, floods
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6382/57
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31/1424/6
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3418
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3550
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Iowa to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 1% fewer sunshine days than Iowa.
  • North Dakota has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Iowa.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Iowa, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and floods in North Dakota.
  • The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 3 degrees colder than in Iowa.
  • The average winter lows are 8 degrees colder than they are in Iowa.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 16 fewer inches of rain compared to Iowa.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Iowa and North Dakota

ComparisonIowaNorth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$69,588$71,970
Cost of Living Index95.995.3
State Income Tax8.53%5.90%
Avg. Property Tax1.43%1.05%
Avg. Sales Tax6.94%6.85%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, FinanceEnergy, Agriculture, Technology
AffluenceStableGrowing
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowVery Low
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 3% more than those in Iowa
  • The COLI in North Dakota will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Iowa
  • The state income tax in ND is 5.90% compared to 8.53% in IA
  • The affluence in North Dakota is growing compared to stable in Iowa
  • The poverty level is low in North Dakota compared to moderate in Iowa
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Iowa and very low in North Dakota

Political and Religious Climate in Iowa vs. North Dakota

ComparisonIowaNorth Dakota
Political Make-upSwing State, leans slightly Republican recentlyStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsModerate, with a focus on agricultural policiesConservative, energy and job growth prioritized
ReligionChristian majority, diverse religious communitiesChristian majority, less religious diversity
  • Iowa tends to lean swing State and leans slightly Republican recently in its political climate
  • North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
  • North Dakota's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with less religious diversity
  • Iowa's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority and diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to North Dakota

ComparisonIowaNorth Dakota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
North Dakota State University
University of North Dakota
Minot State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsWickham Elementary - Coralville
Roosevelt Elementary - Ames
Lincoln Elementary - Pella
Freedom Elementary - West Fargo
Longfellow Elementary - Fargo
Lincoln Elementary - Dickinson
Top 3 Middle SchoolsAmes Middle School - Ames
North Central Junior High - Coralville
Northwest Junior High - Coralville
Ben Franklin Middle School - Fargo
Horizon Middle School - Bismarck
Cheney Middle School - West Fargo
Top 3 High SchoolsWest High School - Iowa City
Ames High School - Ames
Johnston High School - Johnston
Fargo North High - Fargo
Century High School - Bismarck
Red River High School - Grand Forks
Top 3 private high schoolsXavier High School - Cedar Rapids
Dowling Catholic High School - West Des Moines
Wahlert Catholic High School - Dubuque
Shanley High School - Fargo
St. Mary's Central High School - Bismarck
Oak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsMaharishi School - Fairfield
Scattergood Friends School - West Branch
Rivermont Collegiate - Bettendorf
Oak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo
Shiloh Christian School - Bismarck
Trinity Christian School - Williston
Top 3 School DistrictsIowa City Community School District
West Des Moines Community Schools
Ames Community School District
Fargo Public Schools
Bismarck Public Schools
West Fargo Public Schools

How Much Do Iowa to North Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 712 miles from Iowa to North Dakota will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Hemmen Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,606300 ft3$5.35
1 Bedroom$2,387450 ft3$5.30
2 Bedrooms$3,940750 ft3$5.25
3 Bedrooms$5,7241100 ft3$5.20
4 Bedrooms$8,2461600 ft3$5.15
5+ Bedrooms$9,1871800 ft3$5.10

Top Iowa to North Dakota Movers

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

TOP PICK
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

Best moving company overall for Iowa to North Dakota

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Iowa to North Dakota Routes

Des Moines to North Dakota