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Idaho to North Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 23, 2025

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Planning a 951 mile interstate move from Idaho to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs diverse job opportunities), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Fleischkuekle), real estate & housing (modern ranch, craftsman vs ranch, split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Dakota), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Fleischkuekle & Bison Burgers
  • North Dakota housing costs are 44% less expensive than they are in Idaho
  • Rent in North Dakota is 36.82% more affordable than in Idaho
  • Moving from Idaho to North Dakota will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Idaho to North Dakota movers is 208 Moving Company

Idaho to North Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to North Dakota

ConsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Limited job market
  • High wildfire risk
  • Expensive housing
  • Dry landscapes
ProsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Lower wildfire risk
  • Affordable housing
  • Beautiful prairies

North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Flat terrain
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited cultural scenes
  • Fewer outdoor options
Idaho iconIdaho
  • Stunning mountains
  • Mild winters
  • Rich culture
  • Outdoor activities

Pros of moving from Idaho to North Dakota

  • Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to diverse job opportunities
  • Look forward to moving away from high wildfire risk and moving to North Dakota with lower wildfire risk
  • Swap the expensive housing of Idaho for affordable housing in North Dakota
  • Get ready for beautiful prairies in North Dakota

Cons of moving from Idaho to North Dakota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning mountains in Idaho to live with flat terrain in North Dakota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of mild winters and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
  • Time to bid farewell to rich culture and get used to limited cultural scenes in North Dakota
  • Swap outdoor activities for fewer outdoor options

Idaho vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIdahoNorth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemIdaho PotatoesFleischkuekle
Most popular meat dishTroutBison Burgers
Most popular street food itemSpudsChippers
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladWild Rice Dish
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Basque Market
  • State & Lemp
  • Fork
  • Kroll's Diner
  • Pete's Grill & Pub
  • HoDo Lounge
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Idaho to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Fleischkuekle of North Dakota. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Trout and sumptuous Spuds, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Burgers and Chippers to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Dish of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like The Basque Market, State and Lemp, and Fork. 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, Pete's Grill and Pub, and HoDo Lounge.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and North Dakota

ComparisonIdahoNorth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleModern Ranch, CraftsmanRanch, Split-Level
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, scenic viewsEnergy efficiency, low maintenance
  • The Modern Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-Level architecture typical of North Dakota.
  • Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and scenic views, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and low maintenance.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; North Dakota is more walkable than Idaho.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; North Dakota is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
  • North Dakota has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
  • North Dakota housing costs are 44% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Idaho’s $451,298.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
  • Rent in North Dakota is 36.82% more affordable than in Idaho.

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

ComparisonIdahoNorth Dakota
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersWildfiresBlizzards
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (°F)85°F/50°F82°F/55°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)34°F/18°F24°F/2°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)18.917.8
Annual Snowfall (Inches)19.251.2
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Idaho to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Idaho.
  • North Dakota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Idaho.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards in North Dakota.
  • The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 3 degrees colder than in Idaho.
  • The average winter lows are 16 degrees colder than they are in Idaho.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 1.1 fewer inches of rain compared to Idaho.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and North Dakota

ComparisonIdahoNorth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$72,785$71,970
Cost of Living Index91.595.3
State Income Tax6.9%2.9%
Avg. Property Tax0.69%1.01%
Avg. Sales Tax6.02%6.85%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Technology, TourismEnergy, Agriculture, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowLow
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 1% less than those in Idaho
  • The COLI in North Dakota will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
  • The state income tax in ND is 2.9% compared to 6.9% in ID
  • The affluence in North Dakota is moderate compared to moderate in Idaho
  • The poverty level is low in North Dakota compared to low in Idaho
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and low in North Dakota

Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. North Dakota

ComparisonIdahoNorth Dakota
Political Make-upConservativeConservative
Local PoliticsStrong local governance, community-driven initiativesEmphasis on local governance, supportive of small businesses
ReligionLargely Christian, with a significant presence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsMainly Christian, diverse denominations including Lutheran and Catholic
  • Idaho tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
  • North Dakota's religious environment can be described as mainly Christian, with diverse denominations including Lutheran and Catholic
  • Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian, with a significant presence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to North Dakota

ComparisonIdahoNorth Dakota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
North Dakota State University
University of North Dakota
Minot State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsWhite Pine Elementary (Boise)
Longfellow Elementary (Boise)
Cecil D Andrus Elementary (Eagle)
Liberty Elementary (Bismarck)
Freedom Elementary (West Fargo)
Roosevelt Elementary (Mandan)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsNorth Junior High School (Boise)
Lakes Middle School (Coeur d'Alene)
Heritage Middle School (Meridian)
Horizon Middle School (Bismarck)
Cheney Middle School (West Fargo)
Discovery Middle School (Fargo)
Top 3 High SchoolsBoise High School (Boise)
Timberline High School (Boise)
Eagle High School (Eagle)
Century High School (Bismarck)
Red River High School (Grand Forks)
Sheyenne High School (West Fargo)
Top 3 private high schoolsBishop Kelly High School (Boise)
The Ambrose School (Meridian)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene)
Shanley High School (Fargo)
Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
St. Mary's Central High School (Bismarck)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Sage School (Hailey)
Riverstone International School (Boise)
North Star Charter School (Eagle)
Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck)
Trinity Christian School (Williston)
Top 3 School DistrictsBoise Independent School District
Coeur d'Alene School District
Blaine County School District
Bismarck Public School District
Fargo Public Schools
West Fargo Public Schools

How Much Do Idaho to North Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 951 miles from Idaho to North Dakota will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,742300 ft3$5.81
1 Bedroom$2,590450 ft3$5.76
2 Bedrooms$4,279750 ft3$5.71
3 Bedrooms$6,2211100 ft3$5.66
4 Bedrooms$8,9691600 ft3$5.61
5+ Bedrooms$10,0001800 ft3$5.56

Top Idaho to North Dakota Movers

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

TOP PICK
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for Idaho to North Dakota

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Valley Custom Moving featured image

Valley Custom Moving

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Idaho to North Dakota Routes

Boise to North Dakota