Movers

Missouri to North Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

Hero background image

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

ConsMissouri iconMissouri
  • Humidity
  • Severe storms
  • Traffic congestion
  • Mosquitoes
  • High property taxes
ProsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Less humid climate
  • Fewer severe storms
  • Less traffic
  • Fewer mosquitoes
  • Lower property taxes

North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Colder winters
  • Limited cultural events
  • More open plains
  • Fewer urban areas
  • Limited live music
Missouri iconMissouri
  • 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

ComparisonMissouriNorth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemSt. Louis BBQHotdish
Most popular meat dishSmoked RibsBison Steak
Most popular street food itemToasted RavioliKnoephla Soup
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitLentil Stew
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pappy's Smokehouse
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
  • Pit 109
  • Kroll's Diner
  • Meat Up BBQ
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonMissouriNorth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, RanchRanch, Split Level
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 listingLarge yards, BasementsEnergy 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 Missouri’s $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

ComparisonMissouriNorth 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 DisastersTornadoes, floodsBlizzards, floods
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)88Β° / 67Β°83Β° / 57Β°
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β° / 23Β°24Β° / 2Β°
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4217-25
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2038-50
  • 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

ComparisonMissouriNorth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$64,811$71,970
Cost of Living Index91.895.3
State Income TaxUp to 5.4%1.1% - 2.9%
Avg. Property Tax0.93%0.99%
Avg. Sales Tax8.25%6.85%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, UtilitiesEnergy, Agriculture, Services
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • 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

ComparisonMissouriNorth Dakota
Political Make-upLean ConservativeConservative
Local PoliticsMixed, with larger cities leaning liberalPredominantly conservative
ReligionChristian majorityChristian 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

ComparisonMissouriNorth 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 SchoolsClaymont Elementary - Ballwin
John Weldon Elementary - Dardenne Prairie
Wild Horse Elementary - Chesterfield
Freedom Elementary - West Fargo
Centennial Elementary - Fargo
Lincoln Elementary - Dickinson
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLadue 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 SchoolsLadue 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 schoolsThomas 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 schoolsThe 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 DistrictsParkway 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 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,796300 ft3$5.99
1 Bedroom$2,672450 ft3$5.94
2 Bedrooms$4,415750 ft3$5.89
3 Bedrooms$6,4211100 ft3$5.84
4 Bedrooms$9,2591600 ft3$5.79
5+ Bedrooms$10,3261800 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.

TOP PICK
Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC featured image

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Best moving company overall for Missouri to North Dakota

9.62/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Tiger Moving LLC featured image

Tiger Moving LLC

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Action Moving featured image

Action Moving

9.31/10
ExceptionalView details

Kansas City to North Dakota

St. Louis to North Dakota

Springfield to North Dakota