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Maryland to North Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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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

ConsMaryland iconMaryland
  • High cost of living
  • Tight urban areas
  • Heavy traffic
  • Summer humidity
  • Noise pollution
ProsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Affordable housing
  • Open spaces
  • Less congestion
  • Crisp climate
  • Quieter surroundings

North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Less cultural variety
  • Fewer restaurant options
  • Rural isolation
  • Fewer historical sites
  • Limited waterways
Maryland iconMaryland
  • 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

ComparisonMarylandNorth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemCrab CakesLefse
Most popular meat dishFried ChickenBuffalo Burgers
Most popular street food itemPit BeefFlea Market Knoephla Soup
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastVegan Hotdish
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Faidley's Seafood
  • Bertha's Mussels
  • The Prime Rib
  • Kroll's Diner
  • HoDo Restaurant
  • The Pitchfork Steak Fondue
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonMarylandNorth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleColonialRanch
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 listingWaterfront, 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 Maryland’s $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

ComparisonMarylandNorth 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 DisastersHurricanes, FloodsBlizzards, Floods
Air QualityGoodGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 66Β°F82Β°F / 57Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)45Β°F / 29Β°F24Β°F / 2Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4417
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2051
  • 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

ComparisonMarylandNorth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$94,991$71,970
Cost of Living Index124.9595.3
State Income Tax2% - 5.75%1.1% - 2.9%
Avg. Property Tax1.10%0.97%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6.85%
Top 3 IndustriesBiotechnology, IT, ManufacturingAgriculture, Energy, Construction
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • 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

ComparisonMarylandNorth Dakota
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Republican
Local PoliticsVaries by countyConservative across most regions
ReligionProtestant, CatholicProtestant, 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

ComparisonMarylandNorth 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 SchoolsFulton Elementary
Fulton; Shipley's Choice Elementary
Millersville; Whitehall Elementary
Bowie
Freedom Elementary
West Fargo; Longfellow Elementary
Fargo; Hawthorne Elementary
Williston
Top 3 Middle SchoolsThomas 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 SchoolsWalt 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 schoolsGilman 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 schoolsGlenelg 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 DistrictsHoward County Public Schools; Montgomery County Public Schools; Anne Arundel County Public SchoolsFargo 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 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,102300 ft3$7.01
1 Bedroom$3,130450 ft3$6.96
2 Bedrooms$5,179750 ft3$6.91
3 Bedrooms$7,5411100 ft3$6.86
4 Bedrooms$10,8891600 ft3$6.81
5+ Bedrooms$12,1601800 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.

TOP PICK
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

Best moving company overall for Maryland to North Dakota

9.65/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
AJ Moving Services LLC featured image

AJ Moving Services LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
AB Secure Moving LLC. featured image

AB Secure Moving LLC.

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
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