North Dakota to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 1,638 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild climate), food & health (like Lefse vs BBQ Pulled Pork), real estate & housing (ranch, split-level vs colonial, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lefse and Bison Steak, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Pulled Pork & Fried Catfish
- Alabama housing costs are 11% less expensive than they are in North Dakota
- Rent in Alabama is 44.42% more expensive than in North Dakota
- Moving from North Dakota to Alabama will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended North Dakota to Alabama movers is MoveDaddy
North Dakota to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Alabama
- Harsh winters
- Remote locations
- Limited cultural events
- Higher cost of living
- Mild climate
- Urban amenities
- Vibrant arts scene
- More affordable housing
- Humidity
- Higher crime rates
- Sprawling urbanization
- Traffic congestion
- Natural beauty
- Low crime rates
- Community spirit
- Wide open spaces
Pros of moving from North Dakota to Alabama
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a mild climate
- Look forward to moving away from remote locations and moving to Alabama with urban amenities
- Swap the limited cultural events of North Dakota for a vibrant arts scene in Alabama
- Get ready for more affordable housing in Alabama
Cons of moving from North Dakota to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from natural beauty in North Dakota to live with humidity in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of low crime rates and have to settle for the con of higher crime rates
- Time to bid farewell to community spirit and get used to sprawling urbanization in Alabama
- Swap wide open spaces for traffic congestion
North Dakota vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Dakota | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | BBQ Pulled Pork |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Steak | Fried Catfish |
Most popular street food item | Knoephla Soup | Gourmet Hot Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Lentil Burger | Black-Eyed Peas |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 North Dakota to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious BBQ Pulled Pork of Alabama. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Knoephla Soup, Alabama residents know they have tasty Fried Catfish and Gourmet Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black-Eyed Peas of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Kroll's Diner, Pirogue Grille, and The Bison Room. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Dreamland BBQ, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q.
When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in North Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Alabama
Comparison | North Dakota | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Split-level | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, Energy efficiency | Hardwood floors, Historic details |
- The Ranch and Split-level architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and energy efficiency, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like hardwood floors and historic details.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alabama is less walkable than North Dakota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alabama is less bike-friendly than North Dakota.
- Alabama has less of an urban feel than North Dakota.
- Alabama housing costs are 11% less expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to North Dakotaβs $253,395.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
- Rent in Alabama is 44.42% more expensive than in North Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and Alabama
Comparison | North Dakota | Alabama |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Floods | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 57Β°F | 90Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F / 2Β°F | 57Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17-20" | 50-70" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38-52" | 1-5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to Alabama. Alabama gets 6% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
- Alabama has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to North Dakota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in North Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 8 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
- The average winter lows in Alabama are 36 degrees warmer than those in North Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 33 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Alabama
Comparison | North Dakota | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 1.1 - 2.9 | 2 - 5 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.01 | 0.40 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.96 | 9.22 |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Agriculture, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Automotive, Banking |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Low | High |
Homelessness | Rare | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 17% less than in North Dakota
- The COLI in Alabama will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in North Dakota
- The state income tax in AL is 2 to 5 compared to 1.1 to 2.9 in ND
- The affluence in Alabama is varied compared to moderate in North Dakota
- The poverty level is high in Alabama compared to low in North Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is rare in North Dakota and moderate in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Alabama
Comparison | North Dakota | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Moderately conservative | Conservative |
Religion | Christianity dominant, with Lutheran and Catholic majorities | Christianity dominant, with a strong Baptist presence |
- North Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as Christianity dominant with a strong Baptist presence
- North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant with Lutheran and Catholic majorities
Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Alabama
Comparison | North Dakota | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of North Dakota North Dakota State University Minot State University | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Freedom Elementary (Fargo) Discovery Elementary (Grand Forks) Lincoln Elementary (Dickinson) | Deer Valley Elementary (Hoover) Mt Laurel Elementary (Birmingham) Rock Quarry Elementary (Tuscaloosa) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ben Franklin Middle School (Fargo) Discovery Middle School (Grand Forks) Wachter Middle School (Bismarck) | Liberty Park Middle (Vestavia Hills) Berry Middle (Hoover) Simmons Middle (Hoover) |
Top 3 High Schools | Central High School (Grand Forks) Century High School (Bismarck) Fargo South High (Fargo) | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery) Mountain Brook High (Mountain Brook) Bob Jones High (Madison) |
Top 3 private high schools | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Fargo Shanley High School (Fargo) | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs Village) Randolph School (Huntsville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Grace Christian School (Fargo) | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs Village) Madison Academy (Madison) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fargo Public Schools Grand Forks Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Madison City Schools |
How Much Do North Dakota to Alabama Movers Cost?
Moving 1,638 miles from North Dakota to Alabama will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 16-16 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Latitude Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,131 | 300 ft3 | $7.10 |
1 Bedroom | $3,174 | 450 ft3 | $7.05 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,253 | 750 ft3 | $7.00 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,649 | 1100 ft3 | $6.95 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,046 | 1600 ft3 | $6.90 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,337 | 1800 ft3 | $6.85 |
Top North Dakota to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Dakota to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

MoveDaddy
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Alabama

Two Men and a Truck
