Kansas to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 726 mile interstate move from Kansas to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like frequent tornadoes vs fewer tornadoes), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Fleischkuekle), 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 BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Fleischkuekle & Bison Burgers
- North Dakota housing costs are 13% more expensive than they are in Kansas
- Rent in North Dakota is 6.98% more affordable than in Kansas
- Moving from Kansas to North Dakota will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Kansas to North Dakota movers is Two Men and a Truck
Kansas to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to North Dakota
- Frequent tornadoes
- Hot summers
- Flat terrain
- Limited wildlife
- Fewer tornadoes
- Milder summers
- Varied landscapes
- Rich wildlife
- Harsher winters
- Fewer big city amenities
- Colder climate
- Rural lifestyle
- Beautiful prairies
- Cultural attractions
- Warm climate
- Vibrant cities
Pros of moving from Kansas to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to frequent tornadoes and hello to fewer tornadoes
- Look forward to moving away from hot summers and moving to North Dakota with milder summers
- Swap the flat terrain of Kansas for varied landscapes in North Dakota
- Get ready for rich wildlife in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Kansas to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful prairies in Kansas to live with harsher winters in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of cultural attractions and have to settle for the con of fewer big city amenities
- Time to bid farewell to a warm climate and get used to a colder climate in North Dakota
- Swap vibrant cities for a rural lifestyle
Kansas vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kansas | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Ribs | Fleischkuekle |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Brisket | Bison Burgers |
Most popular street food item | BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit BBQ | Lentil Dishes |
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 Kansas to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Fleischkuekle of North Dakota. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Burgers and Knoephla Soup to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit BBQ they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Dishes of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kansas eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Chicken N Pickle, and YaYaβs Euro Bistro. After the boxes are unpacked in North Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to North Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Pit 131, Kroll's Diner, and Mezzaluna.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kansas. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota compared to what you are used to in Kansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and North Dakota
Comparison | Kansas | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | "Spacious backyards", "Attached garages" | "Energy efficiency", "Near parks" |
- The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Split-level architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference 'spacious backyards' and 'attached garages', North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like 'energy efficiency' and 'near parks'.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. North Dakota is less walkable than Kansas.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. North Dakota is less bike-friendly than Kansas.
- North Dakota has less of an urban feel than Kansas.
- North Dakota housing costs are 13% more expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Kansasβs $223,883.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased 18% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
- Rent in North Dakota is 6.98% more affordable than in Kansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kansas and North Dakota
Comparison | Kansas | 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, Storms | Blizzards, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 70Β°F | 82Β°F / 57Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43Β°F / 20Β°F | 24Β°F / 2Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28" | 18" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20" | 52" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 13% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
- North Dakota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kansas.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and storms in Kansas, 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 8 degrees colder than in Kansas.
- The average winter lows are 18 degrees colder than they are in Kansas.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to Kansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and North Dakota
Comparison | Kansas | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $68,925 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 3.1% - 5.7% | 1.1% - 2.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.28% | 1.01% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.7% | 6.56% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aviation | Oil, Agriculture, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Above Average | Average |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 4% more than those in Kansas
- The COLI in North Dakota will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Kansas
- The state income tax in ND is 1.1% - 2.9% compared to 3.1% - 5.7% in KS
- The affluence in North Dakota is higher compared to moderate affluence in Kansas
- The poverty level is average in North Dakota compared to above average in Kansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Kansas and low in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Kansas | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Moderate with urban Democratic strongholds | Conservative, with rural areas heavily influencing policy |
Religion | Christianity dominant, with Protestant and Catholic majorities | Christianity prevalent, higher Lutheran denomination |
- Kansas tends to lean Republican 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 predominantly Christianity with a higher Lutheran denomination
- Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant, with Protestant and Catholic majorities
Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to North Dakota
Comparison | Kansas | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Claflin Elementary School (Claflin) Union Valley Elementary School (Hutchinson) Sunflower Elementary School (Lawrence) | Freedom Elementary School (West Fargo) Liberty Elementary School (Bismarck) Edison Elementary School (Minot) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Leawood Middle School (Leawood) Prairie Star Middle School (Leawood) Lakewood Middle School (Overland Park) | Ben Franklin Middle School (Fargo) Horizon Middle School (Bismarck) Wachter Middle School (Bismarck) |
Top 3 High Schools | Blue Valley North High School (Overland Park) Shawnee Mission East High School (Prairie Village) Maize High School (Maize) | Fargo North High School (Fargo) Century High School (Bismarck) Grand Forks Central High School (Grand Forks) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Independent School (Wichita) Bishop Seabury Academy (Lawrence) St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park) | Shanley High School (Fargo) St. Mary's Central High School (Bismarck) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Independent School (Wichita) Cair Paravel Latin School (Topeka) Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita) | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Grace Lutheran School (Fargo) |
Top 3 School Districts | Blue Valley School District Shawnee Mission School District Olathe District Schools | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools Grand Forks Public Schools |
How Much Do Kansas to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 726 miles from Kansas 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
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mike's Moving Pros
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,614 | 300 ft3 | $5.38 |
1 Bedroom | $2,399 | 450 ft3 | $5.33 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,960 | 750 ft3 | $5.28 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,753 | 1100 ft3 | $5.23 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,288 | 1600 ft3 | $5.18 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,234 | 1800 ft3 | $5.13 |
Top Kansas to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kansas to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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