Minnesota to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 355 mile interstate move from Minnesota to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like expensive housing vs affordable housing), food & health (like Hotdish vs Knoephla Soup), real estate & housing (victorian and modern farmhouse vs ranch and split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Hotdish and Wild Rice Burger, but get your taste buds ready for Knoephla Soup & Bison Steak
- North Dakota housing costs are 23% less expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in North Dakota is 38.75% more affordable than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to North Dakota will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Minnesota to North Dakota movers is Metro Movers
Minnesota to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to North Dakota
- Expensive housing
- High traffic congestion
- Higher taxes
- Longer commute times
- Affordable housing
- Less traffic
- Lower taxes
- Shorter commutes
- Limited cultural events
- Fewer dining choices
- Fewer water bodies
- Limited nightlife
- Rich cultural scene
- Diverse dining options
- Abundant lakes and parks
- Vibrant urban life
Pros of moving from Minnesota to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to expensive housing and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from high traffic congestion and moving to North Dakota with less traffic
- Swap the higher taxes of Minnesota for lower taxes in North Dakota
- Get ready for shorter commutes in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Minnesota to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich cultural scene in Minnesota to live with limited cultural events in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse dining options and have to settle for the con of fewer dining choices
- Time to bid farewell to abundant lakes and parks and get used to fewer water bodies in North Dakota
- Swap vibrant urban life for limited nightlife
Minnesota vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular meat dish | Wild Rice Burger | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Mini Donuts | Fry Bread Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Grain Bowl | Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Minnesota to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Knoephla Soup of North Dakota. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Wild Rice Burger and sumptuous Mini Donuts, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Fry Bread Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grain Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, Spoon and Stable, and Cafe Alma. 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 Pit Barbecue, Kroll's Diner, and Mezzaluna.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota, compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and North Dakota
Comparison | Minnesota | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Victorian and Modern Farmhouse | Ranch and 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, Low property taxes |
- The Victorian and Modern Farmhouse architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and wooded lots, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and low property taxes.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Dakota is less walkable than Minnesota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; North Dakota is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- North Dakota has less of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- North Dakota housing costs are 23% less expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in North Dakota is 38.75% more affordable than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and North Dakota
Comparison | Minnesota | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | 198 days | 201 days |
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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes | Blizzards, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 85Β°F / 57Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F / 7Β°F | 23Β°F / 2Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28 inches | 18 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 54 inches | 51 inches |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 2% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
- North Dakota has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and flooding in North Dakota.
- The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 2 degrees warmer than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows in North Dakota are 5 degrees colder than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota; North Dakota receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and North Dakota
Comparison | Minnesota | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 5.35 - 9.85 | 1.10 - 2.90 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.09 | 0.99 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.875 | 5.00 |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance | Agriculture, Oil, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Comfortable | Stable |
Poverty | Moderate | Lower |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 13% less than those in Minnesota
- The COLI in North Dakota is 3% lower than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in ND is 1.10 to 2.90 compared to 5.35 to 9.85 in MN
- The affluence in North Dakota is stable compared to comfortable in Minnesota
- The poverty level is lower in North Dakota compared to moderate in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Minnesota and minimal in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Minnesota | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, tending towards progressive | Conservative-leaning |
Local Politics | Diverse, urban areas more liberal | More homogeneous, rural conservatism |
Religion | Protestant, Catholic, others | Protestant, Catholic, less diversity |
- Minnesota tends to lean mixed, tending towards progressive in its political climate
- North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as conservative-leaning
- North Dakota's religious environment can be described as Protestant, Catholic, and less diverse
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant, Catholic, and others
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to North Dakota
Comparison | Minnesota | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota St. Cloud State University University of St. Thomas | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower Marine on St. Croix; Southview Elementary Apple Valley; Glacier Hills Elementary School of Arts and Science Eagan | Freedom Elementary West Fargo; Lincoln Elementary Dickinson; Centennial Elementary Fargo |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Minnetonka Middle School East Minnetonka; Wayzata Central Middle School Plymouth; St. Croix Preparatory Academy Middle Marine on St. Croix | Ben Franklin Middle School Fargo; Horizon Middle School Bismarck; Jim Hill Middle School Minot |
Top 3 High Schools | Minnetonka High School Minnetonka; Wayzata High School Plymouth; Edina High School Edina | Central High School Grand Forks; Red River High School Grand Forks; Century High School Bismarck |
Top 3 Private High Schools | Breck School Golden Valley; Blake School Minneapolis; St. Thomas Academy Mendota Heights | Shanley High School Fargo; Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo; Light of Christ Catholic Schools Bismarck |
Top 3 Private K-12 Schools | Breck School Golden Valley; Blake School Minneapolis; Minnehaha Academy Minneapolis | Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo; Shiloh Christian School Bismarck; Trinity Christian School Williston |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public Schools Edina Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools West Fargo Public Schools |
How Much Do Minnesota to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 355 miles from Minnesota to North Dakota will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 5-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,404 | 300 ft3 | $4.68 |
1 Bedroom | $2,083 | 450 ft3 | $4.63 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,434 | 750 ft3 | $4.58 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,982 | 1100 ft3 | $4.53 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,167 | 1600 ft3 | $4.48 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,972 | 1800 ft3 | $4.43 |
Top Minnesota to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.