Indiana to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 1,052 mile interstate move from Indiana to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs lower humidity), food & health (like Pork tenderloin sandwich vs Knoephla soup), real estate & housing (victorian, 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 Pork tenderloin sandwich and Breaded pork tenderloin, but get your taste buds ready for Knoephla soup & Bison steak
- North Dakota housing costs are 7% more expensive than they are in Indiana
- Rent in North Dakota is 24.36% more affordable than in Indiana
- Moving from Indiana to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Indiana to North Dakota movers is Two Men and a Truck
Indiana to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to North Dakota
- High humidity
- Heavy traffic
- Limited outdoor space
- Costly housing
- Lower humidity
- Less congestion
- Vast open landscapes
- Affordable homes
- Harsh winters
- Limited cultural activities
- Less economic diversity
- Fewer restaurant choices
- Mild winters
- Rich cultural scene
- Vibrant economy
- Diverse dining options
Pros of moving from Indiana to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to lower humidity
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to North Dakota with less congestion
- Swap the limited outdoor space of Indiana for vast open landscapes in North Dakota
- Get ready for affordable homes in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Indiana to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in Indiana to live with harsh winters in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of a rich cultural scene and have to settle for the con of limited cultural activities
- Time to bid farewell to a vibrant economy and get used to less economic diversity in North Dakota
- Swap diverse dining options for fewer restaurant choices
Indiana vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Indiana | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork tenderloin sandwich | Knoephla soup |
Most popular meat dish | Breaded pork tenderloin | Bison steak |
Most popular street food item | Indiana corn dogs | Fry bread tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable curry | Lentil stew |
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 Indiana to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Knoephla Soup of North Dakota. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Breaded Pork Tenderloin and sumptuous Indiana Corn Dogs, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Fry Bread Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Curry 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 Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebird, and The Love Handle. 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 Pitchfork Steak Fondue, and HoDo Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Indiana. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota compared to what you are used to in Indiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and North Dakota
Comparison | Indiana | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Victorian, Craftsman | Ranch, Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, Hardwood floors | Energy efficiency, Open floor plans |
- The Victorian and Craftsman architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and hardwood floors, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and open floor plans.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Dakota is less walkable than Indiana.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; North Dakota is less bike-friendly than Indiana.
- North Dakota has less of an urban feel than Indiana.
- North Dakota housing costs are 7% more expensive than they are in Indiana, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Indianaβs $236,990.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
- Rent in North Dakota is 24.36% more affordable than in Indiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Indiana and North Dakota
Comparison | Indiana | 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 | Tornadoes, Severe Thunderstorms | Blizzards, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Excellent |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 65Β°F | 82Β°F / 57Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 20Β°F | 23Β°F / 2Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 17 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 50 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Indiana to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 6% more sunshine days than Indiana.
- North Dakota has similar humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Indiana.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in Indiana, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and flooding in North Dakota.
- The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 3 degrees colder than in Indiana.
- The average winter lows are 18 degrees colder than they are in Indiana.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 25 fewer inches of rain compared to Indiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and North Dakota
Comparison | Indiana | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,785 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.95 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 3.23% | 2.90% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.85% | 1.05% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 5% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Oil & Gas, Agriculture, Construction |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 8% more than those in Indiana
- The COLI in North Dakota will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Indiana
- The state income tax in ND is 2.90% compared to 3.23% in IN
- The affluence in North Dakota is moderate compared to moderate in Indiana
- The poverty level is low in North Dakota compared to moderate in Indiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Indiana and low in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Indiana | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Mixed urban-rural dynamics | Largely rural influence |
Religion | Christian majority (Protestant & Catholic) | Christian majority (Lutheran & Catholic) |
- Indiana 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 a Christian majority (Lutheran & Catholic)
- Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority (Protestant & Catholic)
Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to North Dakota
Comparison | Indiana | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Indiana University Purdue University Ball State University | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | School 84 Indianapolis; Smoky Row Elementary Carmel; Cumberland Road Elementary Fishers | Freedom Elementary West Fargo; Lincoln Elementary Dickinson; Liberty Elementary Bismarck |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Westlane Middle School Indianapolis; Brown County Junior High Nashville; Creekside Middle School Carmel | Ben Franklin Middle School Fargo; Horizon Middle School Bismarck; Wachter Middle School Bismarck |
Top 3 High School Schools | Signature School Evansville; Carmel High School Carmel; Fishers High School Fishers | Central High School Grand Forks; Century High School Bismarck; Davies High School Fargo |
Top 3 private high schools | Cathedral High School Indianapolis; Park Tudor School Indianapolis; Heritage Christian School Indianapolis | Shanley High School Fargo; St. Mary's Central High School Bismarck; Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Park Tudor School Indianapolis; Heritage Christian School Indianapolis; Traders Point Christian Academy Whitestown | Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo; Shiloh Christian School Bismarck; Dakota Adventist Academy Bismarck |
Top 3 School Districts | Carmel Clay Schools Carmel; Hamilton Southeastern Schools Fishers; West Lafayette Community School Corporation West Lafayette | West Fargo Public Schools West Fargo; Bismarck Public Schools Bismarck; Fargo Public Schools Fargo |
How Much Do Indiana to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,052 miles from Indiana to North Dakota will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Bulldogs Moving Co.
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,799 | 300 ft3 | $6.00 |
1 Bedroom | $2,676 | 450 ft3 | $5.95 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,422 | 750 ft3 | $5.90 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,431 | 1100 ft3 | $5.85 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,274 | 1600 ft3 | $5.80 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,343 | 1800 ft3 | $5.75 |
Top Indiana to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Indiana to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Two Men and a Truck
Best moving company overall for Indiana to North Dakota