Missouri to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 1,047 mile interstate move from Missouri to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humidity vs less humid climate), food & health (like St. Louis BBQ vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch 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 St. Louis BBQ and Smoked Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Bison Steak
- North Dakota housing costs are 4% more expensive than they are in Missouri
- Rent in North Dakota is 23.53% more affordable than in Missouri
- Moving from Missouri to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Missouri to North Dakota movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Missouri to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to North Dakota
- Humidity
- Severe storms
- Traffic congestion
- Mosquitoes
- High property taxes
- Less humid climate
- Fewer severe storms
- Less traffic
- Fewer mosquitoes
- Lower property taxes
- Colder winters
- Limited cultural events
- More open plains
- Fewer urban areas
- Limited live music
- Warm winters
- Rich cultural heritage
- Lush landscapes
- Vibrant cities
- Thriving music scene
Pros of moving from Missouri to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to humidity and hello to a less humid climate
- Look forward to moving away from severe storms and moving to North Dakota with fewer severe storms
- Swap the traffic congestion of Missouri for less traffic in North Dakota
- Get ready for fewer mosquitoes in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Missouri to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from warm winters in Missouri to live with colder winters in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich cultural heritage and have to settle for the con of limited cultural events
- Time to bid farewell to lush landscapes and get used to more open plains in North Dakota
- Swap vibrant cities for fewer urban areas
Missouri vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Missouri | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis BBQ | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Ribs | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Toasted Ravioli | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Lentil Stew |
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 Missouri to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis BBQ of Missouri for the equally delicious Hotdish of North Dakota. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Smoked Ribs and sumptuous Toasted Ravioli, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Knoephla Soup to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit 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 Missouri eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. After the boxes are unpacked in North Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to North Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Pit 109, Kroll's Diner, and Meat Up BBQ.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and North Dakota
Comparison | Missouri | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Ranch, Split Level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Basements | Energy efficiency, Low property taxes |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split Level architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and basements, 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 Missouri.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Dakota is more bike-friendly than Missouri.
- North Dakota has less of an urban feel than Missouri.
- North Dakota housing costs are 4% more expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Missouriβs $243,216.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased 18% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
- Rent in North Dakota is 23.53% more affordable than in Missouri.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and North Dakota
Comparison | Missouri | 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 | Tornadoes, floods | Blizzards, floods |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β° / 67Β° | 83Β° / 57Β° |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β° / 23Β° | 24Β° / 2Β° |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 17-25 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20 | 38-50 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Missouri to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 4% fewer sunshine days than Missouri.
- North Dakota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Missouri.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and floods in North Dakota.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 5 degrees colder than in Missouri.
- The average winter lows are 21 degrees colder than they are in Missouri.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 25 fewer inches of rain compared to Missouri.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and North Dakota
Comparison | Missouri | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | Up to 5.4% | 1.1% - 2.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.93% | 0.99% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.25% | 6.85% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Utilities | Energy, Agriculture, Services |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 11% more than those in Missouri
- The COLI in North Dakota is 4% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
- The state income tax in ND is 1.1% - 2.9% compared to up to 5.4% in MO
- The affluence in North Dakota is high compared to moderate in Missouri
- The poverty level is low in North Dakota compared to moderate in Missouri
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Missouri and low in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Missouri | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Mixed, with larger cities leaning liberal | Predominantly conservative |
Religion | Christian majority | Christian majority |
- Missouri tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- North Dakota's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority
- Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority
Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to North Dakota
Comparison | Missouri | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Missouri Missouri State University Washington University in St. Louis | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Claymont Elementary - Ballwin John Weldon Elementary - Dardenne Prairie Wild Horse Elementary - Chesterfield | Freedom Elementary - West Fargo Centennial Elementary - Fargo Lincoln Elementary - Dickinson |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ladue Middle - Ladue John Burroughs School - St. Louis Parkway West Middle - Chesterfield | Bismarck's Horizon Middle School - Bismarck Ben Franklin Middle School - Fargo Wachter Middle School - Bismarck |
Top 3 High School Schools | Ladue Horton Watkins High - Ladue Clayton High - Clayton Marquette High - Chesterfield | Century High - Bismarck Fargo North High - Fargo Red River High - Grand Forks |
Top 3 private high schools | Thomas Jefferson School - St. Louis The Pembroke Hill School - Kansas City John Burroughs School - St. Louis | Shanley High School - Fargo Oak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo St. Mary's Central High School - Bismarck |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Pembroke Hill School - Kansas City John Burroughs School - St. Louis Thomas Jefferson School - St. Louis | Oak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo Shiloh Christian School - Bismarck Grace Lutheran School - Fargo |
Top 3 School Districts | Parkway School District Ladue School District Clayton School District | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools West Fargo Public Schools |
How Much Do Missouri to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,047 miles from Missouri to North Dakota will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,796 | 300 ft3 | $5.99 |
1 Bedroom | $2,672 | 450 ft3 | $5.94 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,415 | 750 ft3 | $5.89 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,421 | 1100 ft3 | $5.84 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,259 | 1600 ft3 | $5.79 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,326 | 1800 ft3 | $5.74 |
Top Missouri to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for Missouri to North Dakota