Louisiana to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 1,526 mile interstate move from Louisiana to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Louisiana vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs low humidity), food & health (like Gumbo vs Lefse), real estate & housing (french colonial vs prairie style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Gumbo and Jambalaya, but get your taste buds ready for Lefse & Walleye
- North Dakota housing costs are 27% more expensive than they are in Louisiana
- Rent in North Dakota is 22.45% more affordable than in Louisiana
- Moving from Louisiana to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Louisiana to North Dakota movers is Two Men and a Truck
Louisiana to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Louisiana to North Dakota
- High humidity
- Hurricane risk
- Traffic congestion
- High crime rates
- Costly insurance
- Low humidity
- Fewer natural disasters
- Smoother commutes
- Lower crime rates
- Lower insurance costs
- Severe winters
- Lack of cultural diversity
- Fewer seafood options
- Limited music scene
- No ocean access
- Mild winters
- Rich culture
- Gulf seafood
- Jazz music
- Beaches
Pros of moving from Louisiana to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to low humidity
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to North Dakota with fewer natural disasters
- Swap the traffic congestion of Louisiana for smoother commutes in North Dakota
- Get ready for lower crime rates in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Louisiana to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in Louisiana to live with severe winters in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich culture and have to settle for the con of lack of cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to gulf seafood and get used to fewer seafood options in North Dakota
- Swap jazz music for a limited music scene
Louisiana vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Louisiana | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Gumbo | Lefse |
Most popular meat dish | Jambalaya | Walleye |
Most popular street food item | Po'boy | Fleischkuekle |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Gumbo | Knoephla Soup (vegan version) |
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 Louisiana to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Gumbo of Louisiana for the equally delicious Lefse of North Dakota. And while the locals in Louisiana rave about their flavorful Jambalaya and sumptuous Po'boy, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Fleischkuekle to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Gumbo they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Knoephla Soup (vegan version) of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Louisiana eateries like Commander's Palace, Antoine's, and Willie Mae's Scotch House. After the boxes are unpacked in North Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to North Dakota's acclaimed eateries like The HoDo Restaurant, Kroll's Diner, and Pirogue Grille.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Louisiana. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota compared to what you are used to in Louisiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Louisiana and North Dakota
Comparison | Louisiana | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | French Colonial | Prairie Style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Open floor plans, waterfront | Energy efficiency, spacious yards |
- The French Colonial architecture that Louisiana is known for will be replaced with the Prairie Style architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Louisiana's real estate listings that commonly reference open floor plans and waterfront, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and spacious yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. North Dakota is less walkable than Louisiana.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. North Dakota is less bike-friendly than Louisiana.
- North Dakota has less of an urban feel than Louisiana.
- North Dakota housing costs are 27% more expensive than they are in Louisiana, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Louisianaβs $199,091.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to a 13% increase in Louisiana.
- Rent in North Dakota is 22.45% more affordable than in Louisiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Louisiana and North Dakota
Comparison | Louisiana | 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 | Hurricanes, Floods | Blizzards, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91Β°F / 73Β°F | 82Β°F / 57Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 62Β°F / 42Β°F | 24Β°F / 6Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 60 | 16-22 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.2 | 46 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Louisiana to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 7% fewer sunshine days than Louisiana.
- North Dakota has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Louisiana.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Louisiana, 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 9 degrees colder than in Louisiana.
- The average winter lows are 36 degrees colder than they are in Louisiana.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 44 fewer inches of rain compared to Louisiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Louisiana and North Dakota
Comparison | Louisiana | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,416 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 96 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 2%-6% | 1.1%-2.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.52% | 0.99% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.52% | 6.85% |
Top 3 Industries | Petrochemical, Agriculture, Tourism | Energy, Agriculture, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Significant | Low |
Homelessness | Visible | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 30% more than those in Louisiana
- The COLI in North Dakota will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Louisiana
- The state income tax in ND is 1.1% to 2.9% compared to 2% to 6% in LA
- The affluence in North Dakota is high compared to moderate affluence in Louisiana
- The poverty level is low in North Dakota compared to significant poverty in Louisiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Louisiana and minimal in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Louisiana vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Louisiana | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Moderately progressive in urban areas | Conservative, with an emphasis on local governance |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with a significant Catholic population | Mostly Christian, predominantly Protestant |
- Louisiana tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
- North Dakota's religious environment can be described as mostly Christian and predominantly Protestant
- Louisiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian, with a significant Catholic population
Education Guide When Moving from Louisiana to North Dakota
Comparison | Louisiana | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana at Lafayette | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie) Mary Queen of Peace Catholic School (Mandeville) | Freedom Elementary School (West Fargo) Roosevelt Elementary School (Mandan) Longfellow Elementary School (Fargo) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Lake Castle Private School (New Orleans) Paul Breaux Middle School (Lafayette) Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies (Metairie) | Wachter Middle School (Bismarck) Ben Franklin Middle School (Fargo) Discovery Middle School (Fargo) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Benjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans) Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (Jefferson) Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies (Metairie) | Fargo North High School (Fargo) Century High School (Bismarck) Grand Forks Central High School (Grand Forks) |
Top 3 private high schools | Jesuit High School (New Orleans) St. Thomas More Catholic High School (Lafayette) Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge) | Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Trinity High School (Dickinson) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie) Louise S. McGehee School (New Orleans) Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge) | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Trinity Elementary East (Dickinson) |
Top 3 School Districts | Zachary Community School District Central Community School District Orleans Parish School District | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public School District West Fargo Public Schools |
How Much Do Louisiana to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,526 miles from Louisiana to North Dakota will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Henry Hauling LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,068 | 300 ft3 | $6.89 |
1 Bedroom | $3,079 | 450 ft3 | $6.84 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,094 | 750 ft3 | $6.79 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,416 | 1100 ft3 | $6.74 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,707 | 1600 ft3 | $6.69 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,956 | 1800 ft3 | $6.64 |
Top Louisiana to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Louisiana to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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