Michigan to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 911 mile interstate move from Michigan to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs less snowfall), food & health (like Pasties vs Knoephla Soup), real estate & housing (craftsman, colonial vs ranch, split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pasties and Detroit-style Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Knoephla Soup & Bison Burgers
- North Dakota housing costs are 6% more expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in North Dakota is 29.63% more affordable than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to North Dakota will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Michigan to North Dakota movers is Pro-Low Moving
Michigan to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to North Dakota
- Harsh winters
- Heavy traffic
- Higher cost of living
- Dense population
- Less snowfall
- Less congestion
- Affordable housing
- Open spaces
- Fewer water bodies
- Fewer cultural events
- Limited art venues
- Fewer dining options
- Great Lakes access
- Rich cultural diversity
- Vibrant art scene
- Abundant local cuisine
Pros of moving from Michigan to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to less snowfall
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to North Dakota with less congestion
- Swap the higher cost of living in Michigan for affordable housing in North Dakota
- Get ready for open spaces in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Michigan to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from Great Lakes access in Michigan to live with fewer water bodies in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich cultural diversity and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural events
- Time to bid farewell to the vibrant art scene and get used to limited art venues in North Dakota
- Swap abundant local cuisine for fewer dining options
Michigan vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pasties | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular meat dish | Detroit-style Pizza | Bison Burgers |
Most popular street food item | Coney Island Hot Dog | Chislic |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reubens | Lentil Burgers |
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 Michigan to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Knoephla Soup of North Dakota. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Detroit-style Pizza and sumptuous Coney Island Hot Dog, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Burgers and Chislic to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Reubens they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Burgers of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Slows Bar BQ, Zingerman's Deli, and Jolly Pumpkin CafΓ© and Brewery. 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, Pitchfork Steak Fondue, and Mezzaluna.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota, compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and North Dakota
Comparison | Michigan | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Colonial | Ranch, Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Wooded lots | Energy efficiency, Open spaces |
- The Craftsman and Colonial architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and wooded lots, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and open spaces.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Dakota is less walkable than Michigan.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; North Dakota is less bike-friendly than Michigan.
- North Dakota has less of an urban feel than Michigan.
- North Dakota housing costs are 6% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in North Dakota is 29.63% more affordable than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and North Dakota
Comparison | Michigan | 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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 81Β°F / 59Β°F | 82Β°F / 57Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 32Β°F / 18Β°F | 23Β°F / 2Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8 | 17.8 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66 | 51.2 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 18% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- North Dakota has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Michigan.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in North Dakota.
- The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 1 degree warmer than in Michigan.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees colder than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 15.0 fewer inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and North Dakota
Comparison | Michigan | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 4.25 | 2.90 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.64 | 1.05 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00 | 5.00 |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Manufacturing, Agriculture | Agriculture, Energy, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 7% more than those in Michigan
- The COLI in North Dakota will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in ND is 2.90 compared to 4.25 in MI
- The affluence in North Dakota is high compared to moderate in Michigan
- The poverty level is low in North Dakota compared to moderate in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Michigan and low in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Michigan | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State, leans Democratic in recent elections | Consistently Republican |
Local Politics | Varies by region, urban areas more Democratic | Dominantly Republican across the state |
Religion | Mixed, with a significant Christian population | Predominantly Christian, Lutheran and Catholic denominations prevalent |
- Michigan tends to lean swing state and leans Democratic in recent elections in its political climate
- North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as consistently Republican
- North Dakota's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian with Lutheran and Catholic denominations prevalent
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a significant Christian population
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to North Dakota
Comparison | Michigan | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Harlan Elementary Bloomfield Hills; Deerfield Elementary Novi; Bingham Farms Elementary Bingham Farms | Freedom Elementary West Fargo; Discovery Elementary Grand Forks; Independence Elementary West Fargo |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Boulan Park Middle School Troy; West Middle School Rochester; Meads Mill Middle School Northville | Ben Franklin Middle School Fargo; Cheney Middle School West Fargo; Simle Middle School Bismarck |
Top 3 High School Schools | International Academy Bloomfield Hills; Troy High School Troy; Northville High School Northville | Fargo North High School Fargo; Century High School Bismarck; Grand Forks Central High School Grand Forks |
Top 3 private high schools | Detroit Country Day School Beverly Hills; Cranbrook Schools Bloomfield Hills; Roeper School Bloomfield Hills | Shanley High School Fargo; St. Mary's Central High School Bismarck; Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Roeper School Bloomfield Hills; Cranbrook Schools Bloomfield Hills; Detroit Country Day School Beverly Hills | Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo; Shiloh Christian School Bismarck; Trinity Christian School Williston |
Top 3 School Districts | Bloomfield Hills Schools Novi Community School District Troy School District | West Fargo Public Schools Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools |
How Much Do Michigan to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 911 miles from Michigan 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: 6.5-15.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,719 | 300 ft3 | $5.73 |
1 Bedroom | $2,556 | 450 ft3 | $5.68 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,222 | 750 ft3 | $5.63 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,138 | 1100 ft3 | $5.58 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,848 | 1600 ft3 | $5.53 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,864 | 1800 ft3 | $5.48 |
Top Michigan to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pro-Low Moving
Best moving company overall for Michigan to North Dakota