Maryland to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

Planning a 1,586 mile interstate move from Maryland to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Crab Cakes vs Lefse), real estate & housing (colonial vs ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Crab Cakes and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Lefse & Buffalo Burgers
- North Dakota housing costs are 39% less expensive than they are in Maryland
- Rent in North Dakota is 45.29% more affordable than in Maryland
- Moving from Maryland to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Maryland to North Dakota movers is AT Movers
Maryland to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to North Dakota
- High cost of living
- Tight urban areas
- Heavy traffic
- Summer humidity
- Noise pollution
- Affordable housing
- Open spaces
- Less congestion
- Crisp climate
- Quieter surroundings
- Less cultural variety
- Fewer restaurant options
- Rural isolation
- Fewer historical sites
- Limited waterways
- Diverse culture
- Varied cuisine
- Proximity to DC
- Rich history
- Waterfront attractions
Pros of moving from Maryland to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from tight urban areas and moving to North Dakota with open spaces
- Swap the heavy traffic of Maryland for less congestion in North Dakota
- Get ready for a crisp climate in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Maryland to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the diverse culture in Maryland to live with less cultural variety in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of varied cuisine and have to settle with the con of fewer restaurant options
- Time to bid farewell to proximity to DC and get used to rural isolation in North Dakota
- Swap rich history for fewer historical sites
Maryland vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maryland | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Crab Cakes | Lefse |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | Buffalo Burgers |
Most popular street food item | Pit Beef | Flea Market Knoephla Soup |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Vegan Hotdish |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Maryland to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Lefse of North Dakota. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Pit Beef, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Buffalo Burgers and Flea Market Knoephla Soup to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Hotdish of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maryland eateries like Faidley's Seafood, Bertha's Mussels, and The Prime Rib. 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, HoDo Restaurant, and The Pitchfork Steak Fondue.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maryland. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota compared to what you are used to in Maryland. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and North Dakota
Comparison | Maryland | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, proximity to Washington D.C. | Spacious land, quiet neighborhoods |
- The Colonial architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Ranch architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and proximity to Washington D.C., North Dakota's real estate listings often highlight features like spacious land and quiet neighborhoods.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Dakota is less walkable than Maryland.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; North Dakota is less bike-friendly than Maryland.
- North Dakota has less of an urban feel than Maryland.
- North Dakota housing costs are 39% less expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Marylandβs $414,972.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased 18% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
- Rent in North Dakota is 45.29% more affordable than in Maryland.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maryland and North Dakota
Comparison | Maryland | 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 | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 66Β°F | 82Β°F / 57Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45Β°F / 29Β°F | 24Β°F / 2Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44 | 17 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20 | 51 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maryland to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Maryland.
- North Dakota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Maryland.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Maryland, 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 Maryland.
- The average winter lows are 27 degrees colder than they are in Maryland.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 27 fewer inches of rain compared to Maryland.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and North Dakota
Comparison | Maryland | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 2% - 5.75% | 1.1% - 2.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.10% | 0.97% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6.85% |
Top 3 Industries | Biotechnology, IT, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Energy, Construction |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 24% less than those in Maryland
- The COLI in North Dakota will be 24% lower than what you are used to living in Maryland
- The state income tax in ND is 1.1% - 2.9% compared to 2% - 5.75% in MD
- The affluence in North Dakota is moderate compared to high in Maryland
- The poverty level is moderate in North Dakota compared to low in Maryland
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Maryland and low in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Maryland | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Varies by county | Conservative across most regions |
Religion | Protestant, Catholic | Protestant, Catholic |
- Maryland 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 Protestant and Catholic
- Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant and Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to North Dakota
Comparison | Maryland | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maryland College Park; Towson University; Johns Hopkins University | North Dakota State University Fargo; University of North Dakota Grand Forks; Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Fulton Elementary Fulton; Shipley's Choice Elementary Millersville; Whitehall Elementary Bowie | Freedom Elementary West Fargo; Longfellow Elementary Fargo; Hawthorne Elementary Williston |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas W. Pyle Middle School Bethesda; Burleigh Manor Middle School Ellicott City; Herbert Hoover Middle School Potomac | Ben Franklin Middle School Fargo; Horizon Middle School Bismarck; Valley Middle School Grand Forks |
Top 3 High Schools | Walt Whitman High School Bethesda; Winston Churchill High School Potomac; Poolesville High School Poolesville | Century High School Bismarck; Fargo North High School Fargo; Grand Forks Central High School Grand Forks |
Top 3 private high schools | Gilman School Baltimore; Holton-Arms School Bethesda; McDonogh School Owings Mills | Shanley High School Fargo; Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo; Minot Bishop Ryan High School Minot |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Glenelg Country School Ellicott City; Friends School of Baltimore Baltimore; Sandy Spring Friends School Sandy Spring | Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo; Shiloh Christian School Bismarck; Dakota Adventist Academy Bismarck |
Top 3 School Districts | Howard County Public Schools; Montgomery County Public Schools; Anne Arundel County Public Schools | Fargo Public Schools; Bismarck Public Schools; West Fargo Public Schools |
How Much Do Maryland to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,586 miles from Maryland 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: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,102 | 300 ft3 | $7.01 |
1 Bedroom | $3,130 | 450 ft3 | $6.96 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,179 | 750 ft3 | $6.91 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,541 | 1100 ft3 | $6.86 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,889 | 1600 ft3 | $6.81 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,160 | 1800 ft3 | $6.76 |
Top Maryland to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maryland to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.