Illinois to North Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to North Dakota

ConsIllinois

• High taxes
• Extreme congestion
• Harsh winters
• High cost of living

ProsNorth Dakota

• Lower cost of living
• Less traffic
• Wide open spaces
• Quieter lifestyle

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North Dakota

• Limited job opportunities
• Less cultural diversity
• Fewer entertainment options
• Car dependency

Illinois

• Diverse job market
• Rich culture
• Access to amenities
• Public transportation

Pros of moving from Illinois to North Dakota

• Say goodbye to high taxes and hello to a lower cost of living
• Look forward to moving away from extreme congestion and moving to North Dakota with less traffic
• Swap the harsh winters of Illinois for wide open spaces in North Dakota
• Get ready for a quieter lifestyle in North Dakota

Cons of moving from Illinois to North Dakota

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a diverse job market in Illinois to live with limited job opportunities in North Dakota
• You'll lose out on the pro of rich culture and have to settle for the con of less cultural diversity
• Time to bid farewell to access to amenities and get used to fewer entertainment options in North Dakota
• Swap public transportation for car dependency

Illinois vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Chicago-style deep dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Hotdish of North Dakota. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef Sandwich and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Knoephla Soup and Fry Bread Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the deep-dish vegan pizza 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 Illinois eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Portillo's, and Alinea. 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 HoDo Restaurant, and Pirogue Grille.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and North Dakota

• The Prairie and Chicago School architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of North Dakota.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings, which commonly reference hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards and energy efficiency.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Dakota is less walkable than Illinois.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; North Dakota is more bike-friendly than Illinois.
• North Dakota has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
• North Dakota housing costs are 2% less expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in North Dakota is 41.70% more affordable than in Illinois.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 6% more sunshine days than Illinois.
• North Dakota has similar humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Illinois.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Illinois, 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 Illinois.
• The average winter lows are 16 degrees colder than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 22 fewer inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. North Dakota

• Illinois tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
• North Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant, notably Lutheran
• Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a higher Catholic presence

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to North Dakota

How Much Do Illinois to North Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 932 miles from Illinois 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.