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Massachusetts to North Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 1,843 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Knoephla Soup), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Clam Chowder and Lobster Roll, but get your taste buds ready for Knoephla Soup & Bison Steak
  • North Dakota housing costs are 59% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
  • Rent in North Dakota is 59.80% more affordable than in Massachusetts
  • Moving from Massachusetts to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended Massachusetts to North Dakota movers is Paradise Moving & Storage

Massachusetts to North Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to North Dakota

ConsMassachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic
  • Harsh winters
  • Packed urban areas
  • Expensive housing
ProsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less traffic congestion
  • Quieter winters
  • More open spaces
  • Affordable housing

North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Less historical landmarks
  • Landlocked state
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Fewer higher education options
  • Limited arts scene
Massachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Rich history
  • Easily accessible beaches
  • Cultural diversity
  • Renowned universities
  • Vibrant arts scene

Pros of moving from Massachusetts to North Dakota

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to North Dakota with less traffic congestion
  • Swap the harsh winters of Massachusetts for the quieter winters in North Dakota
  • Get ready for more open spaces in North Dakota

Cons of moving from Massachusetts to North Dakota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Massachusetts to live with fewer historical landmarks in North Dakota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of easily accessible beaches and have to settle for the con of a landlocked state
  • Time to bid farewell to cultural diversity and get used to less cultural diversity in North Dakota
  • Swap renowned universities for fewer higher education options

Massachusetts vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMassachusettsNorth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemClam ChowderKnoephla Soup
Most popular meat dishLobster RollBison Steak
Most popular street food itemFried ClamsTaco Trucks Tacos
Most popular vegan foodVegan ChowderLentil Stew
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Legal Sea Foods
  • Neptune Oyster
  • Union Oyster House
  • Kroll's Diner
  • Pete's Meats
  • The HoDo Restaurant
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Massachusetts to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Knoephla Soup of North Dakota. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Lobster Roll and sumptuous Fried Clams, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Taco Truck Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Chowder 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 Massachusetts eateries like Legal Sea Foods, Neptune Oyster, and Union Oyster 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 Kroll's Diner, Pete's Meats, and The HoDo Restaurant.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and North Dakota

ComparisonMassachusettsNorth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodRanch, Split-level
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingClose to public transportation, Historic charmSpacious yards, Quiet neighborhoods
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of North Dakota.
  • Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference close proximity to public transportation and historic charm, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Dakota is less walkable than Massachusetts.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; North Dakota is less bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
  • North Dakota has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
  • North Dakota housing costs are 59% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Massachusetts’s $612,509.
  • Over the prior five years, home prices in North Dakota have increased 18%, compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
  • Rent in North Dakota is 59.80% more affordable than in Massachusetts.

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

ComparisonMassachusettsNorth Dakota
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersNor'easters, BlizzardsBlizzards, Floods
Air QualityGoodGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)80Β°F / 60Β°F82Β°F / 57Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)37Β°F / 22Β°F24Β°F / 2Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)47.7"17.8"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)51"52"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Massachusetts to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 1% more sunshine days than Massachusetts.
  • North Dakota has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Massachusetts.
  • Say goodbye to the possible nor'easters and blizzards in Massachusetts, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and floods in North Dakota.
  • The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 2 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
  • The average winter lows are 20 degrees colder than they are in Massachusetts.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 29.9 fewer inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and North Dakota

ComparisonMassachusettsNorth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$94,488$71,970
Cost of Living Index121.5595.3
State Income Tax5.00%1.1%-2.9%
Avg. Property Tax1.23%1.05%
Avg. Sales Tax6.25%5.75%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Education, FinanceAgriculture, Energy, Manufacturing
AffluenceWealthyComfortable
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 24% less than those in Massachusetts
  • The COLI in North Dakota will be 22% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
  • The state income tax in ND is 1.1%-2.9% compared to 5.00% in MA
  • The affluence in North Dakota is comfortable compared to wealthy in Massachusetts
  • The poverty level is moderate in North Dakota compared to low in Massachusetts
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Massachusetts and low in North Dakota

Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. North Dakota

ComparisonMassachusettsNorth Dakota
Political Make-upLiberal/DemocraticConservative/Republican
Local PoliticsProgressive initiativesTraditional values
ReligionPrimarily CatholicLargely Lutheran
  • Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
  • North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative/Republican
  • North Dakota's religious environment can be described as largely Lutheran
  • Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Catholic

Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to North Dakota

ComparisonMassachusettsNorth Dakota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Harvard University
MIT
Boston College
North Dakota State University
University of North Dakota
Minot State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsDay Elementary (Newton)
Brackett Elementary (Arlington)
Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester)
Freedom Elementary (West Fargo)
Longfellow Elementary (Fargo)
Lincoln Elementary (Dickinson)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWilliams Middle (Longmeadow)
Diamond Middle (Lexington)
Pollard Middle (Needham)
Ben Franklin Middle (Fargo)
Horizon Middle (Moorhead Area)
Discovery Middle (Fargo)
Top 3 High SchoolsBoston Latin School (Boston)
Lexington High (Lexington)
Brookline High (Brookline)
Fargo North High (Fargo)
Century High (Bismarck)
Red River High (Grand Forks)
Top 3 private high schoolsPhillips Academy (Andover)
Belmont Hill School (Belmont)
Noble and Greenough School (Dedham)
Shanley High School (Fargo)
St. Mary's Central High School (Bismarck)
Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsBuckingham Browne & Nichols (Cambridge)
The Winsor School (Boston)
Dexter Southfield (Brookline)
Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck)
Grace Lutheran School (Fargo)
Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
Top 3 School DistrictsLexington
Newton
Wellesley
Fargo
Bismarck
West Fargo

How Much Do Massachusetts to North Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 1,843 miles from Massachusetts to North Dakota will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,247300 ft3$7.49
1 Bedroom$3,348450 ft3$7.44
2 Bedrooms$5,543750 ft3$7.39
3 Bedrooms$8,0751100 ft3$7.34
4 Bedrooms$11,6661600 ft3$7.29
5+ Bedrooms$13,0341800 ft3$7.24

Top Massachusetts to North Dakota Movers

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

TOP PICK
Paradise Moving & Storage featured image

Paradise Moving & Storage

Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to North Dakota

9.71/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Stairhopper Movers featured image

Stairhopper Movers

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Varsity Movers LLC featured image

Varsity Movers LLC

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
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