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Montana to North Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 526 mile interstate move from Montana to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Montana vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs slightly milder climate), food & health (like Bison steak vs Lefse), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman vs prairie, bungalow), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Bison steak and Elk burgers, but get your taste buds ready for Lefse & Knoephla soup
  • North Dakota housing costs are 44% less expensive than they are in Montana
  • Rent in North Dakota is 27.58% more affordable than in Montana
  • Moving from Montana to North Dakota will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Montana to North Dakota movers is Two Men and a Truck

Montana to North Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Montana to North Dakota

ConsMontana iconMontana
  • Harsh winters
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Limited urban amenities
  • Higher cost of living
ProsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Slightly milder climate
  • Growing economy
  • Developing urban centers
  • More affordable living

North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Lesser scenic diversity
  • Fewer national parks
  • Limited cultural institutions
  • Fewer community events
Montana iconMontana
  • Beautiful landscapes
  • Outdoor recreation
  • Rich history
  • Small-town charm

Pros of moving from Montana to North Dakota

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a slightly milder climate
  • Look forward to moving away from fewer job opportunities and moving to North Dakota with a growing economy
  • Swap the limited urban amenities of Montana for developing urban centers in North Dakota
  • Get ready for more affordable living in North Dakota

Cons of moving from Montana to North Dakota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful landscapes in Montana to live with lesser scenic diversity in North Dakota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of outdoor recreation and have to settle for the con of fewer national parks
  • Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to limited cultural institutions in North Dakota
  • Swap small-town charm for fewer community events

Montana vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMontanaNorth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemBison steakLefse
Most popular meat dishElk burgersKnoephla soup
Most popular street food itemWild game sausagesCheese buttons
Most popular vegan foodLentil stewVegan lefse
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Montana Club
  • Bozeman's Pickle Barrel
  • Big Sky Diner
  • HoDo Lounge
  • Kroll's Diner
  • The Shack on Broadway
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 Montana to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Bison steak of Montana for the equally delicious Lefse of North Dakota. And while the locals in Montana rave about their flavorful Elk burgers and sumptuous Wild game sausages, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Knoephla soup and Cheese buttons to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil stew they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan lefse of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Montana eateries like The Montana Club, Bozeman's Pickle Barrel, and Big Sky Diner. After the boxes are unpacked in North Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to North Dakota's acclaimed eateries like HoDo Lounge, Kroll's Diner, and The Shack on Broadway.

When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Montana. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota, compared to what you are used to in Montana. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Montana and North Dakota

ComparisonMontanaNorth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, CraftsmanPrairie, Bungalow
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 listingNatural scenery, Private yardsEnergy efficiency, Community parks
  • The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Montana is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Bungalow architecture typical of North Dakota.
  • Compared to Montana's real estate listings that commonly reference natural scenery and private yards, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and community parks.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Dakota is more walkable than Montana.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Dakota is more bike-friendly than Montana.
  • North Dakota has more of an urban feel than Montana.
  • North Dakota housing costs are 44% less expensive than they are in Montana, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Montana’s $456,199.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased 18% compared to a 71% increase in Montana.
  • Rent in North Dakota is 27.58% more affordable than in Montana.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Montana and North Dakota

ComparisonMontanaNorth 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 DisastersWildfires, FloodsBlizzards, Floods
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F/50Β°F85Β°F/55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)34Β°F/17Β°F18Β°F/0Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)15"17.5"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)48"51"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Montana to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Montana.
  • North Dakota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Montana.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Montana, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and floods in North Dakota.
  • The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 3 degrees warmer than in Montana.
  • The average winter lows are 17 degrees colder than they are in Montana.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 2.5 more inches of rain compared to Montana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Montana and North Dakota

ComparisonMontanaNorth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$67,631$71,970
Cost of Living Index99.495.3
State Income Tax6.9%2.9%
Avg. Property Tax0.85%1.01%
Avg. Sales Tax0%5%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Tourism, MiningOil, Agriculture, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowLow
HomelessnessMinimalMinimal
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 6% more than those in Montana
  • The COLI in North Dakota is 4% lower than what you are used to living in Montana
  • The state income tax in ND is 2.9% compared to 6.9% in MT
  • The affluence in North Dakota is high compared to moderate affluence in Montana
  • The poverty level is low in North Dakota compared to low poverty in Montana
  • In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Montana and minimal in North Dakota

Political and Religious Climate in Montana vs. North Dakota

ComparisonMontanaNorth Dakota
Political Make-upLean RepublicanStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsMixed, with liberal communities in urban areasConservative, even in urban areas
ReligionChristianity dominant, with a significant unaffiliated populationPrimarily Christian, lower rates of unaffiliated individuals
  • Montana tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
  • North Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with lower rates of unaffiliated individuals
  • Montana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant with a significant unaffiliated population

Education Guide When Moving from Montana to North Dakota

ComparisonMontanaNorth Dakota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Montana
Montana State University
Montana Tech
North Dakota State University
University of North Dakota
Minot State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsHawthorne Elementary (Bozeman)
Middle Creek Montessori (Bozeman)
Chief Joseph Elementary (Great Falls)
Freedom Elementary (West Fargo)
Eagle Ridge Elementary (Bismarck)
Lincoln Elementary (Dickinson)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsSacagawea Middle School (Bozeman)
East Middle School (Great Falls)
Washington Middle School (Missoula)
Ben Franklin Middle School (Fargo)
Wachter Middle School (Bismarck)
Liberty Middle School (West Fargo)
Top 3 High SchoolsBozeman High School (Bozeman)
Hellgate High School (Missoula)
Sentinel High School (Missoula)
West Fargo High School (West Fargo)
Century High School (Bismarck)
Fargo North High School (Fargo)
Top 3 private high schoolsLoyola Sacred Heart High School (Missoula)
Billings Central Catholic High School (Billings)
Great Falls Central Catholic High School (Great Falls)
Shanley High School (Fargo)
St. Mary's Central High School (Bismarck)
Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsPetra Academy (Bozeman)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Valley Christian School (Missoula)
Dakota Adventist Academy (Bismarck)
Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
Trinity Christian School (Williston)
Top 3 School DistrictsBozeman High School District
Missoula County Public Schools
Billings Public Schools
West Fargo Public Schools
Bismarck Public Schools
Fargo Public Schools

How Much Do Montana to North Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 526 miles from Montana to North Dakota will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Midwest Moving Company
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,501300 ft3$5.00
1 Bedroom$2,229450 ft3$4.95
2 Bedrooms$3,677750 ft3$4.90
3 Bedrooms$5,3381100 ft3$4.85
4 Bedrooms$7,6841600 ft3$4.80
5+ Bedrooms$8,5541800 ft3$4.75

Top Montana to North Dakota Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Montana to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

Best moving company overall for Montana to North Dakota

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Quality Pack & Load featured image

Quality Pack & Load

9.06/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Moving On Up

Moving On Up

8.79/10
Top Montana to North Dakota Routes

Billings to North Dakota