North Dakota to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 1,269 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Lefse vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial revival), 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 Fried Catfish & Smoked BBQ Pork
- Arkansas housing costs are 20% less expensive than they are in North Dakota
- Rent in Arkansas is 28.94% more expensive than in North Dakota
- Moving from North Dakota to Arkansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended North Dakota to Arkansas movers is B2 Moving
North Dakota to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Arkansas
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Rural isolation
- Fewer cultural events
- Milder climate
- Diverse job opportunities
- Community activities
- Vibrant arts scene
- Higher crime rates
- Denser traffic
- Less open space
- Moderate cost of living
- Low crime rates
- Sparse traffic
- Open landscapes
- Low cost of living
Pros of moving from North Dakota to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Arkansas with diverse job opportunities
- Swap the rural isolation of North Dakota for community activities in Arkansas
- Get ready for a vibrant arts scene in Arkansas
Cons of moving from North Dakota to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from low crime rates in North Dakota to live with higher crime rates in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of sparse traffic and have to settle for the con of denser traffic
- Time to bid farewell to open landscapes and get used to less open space in Arkansas
- Swap a low cost of living for a moderate cost of living
North Dakota vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Dakota | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Steak | Smoked BBQ Pork |
Most popular street food item | Fargo Hotdish | BBQ Nachos |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Soup | Black Bean Burgers |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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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 North Dakota to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Fargo Hotdish, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked BBQ Pork and BBQ Nachos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burgers of Arkansas. 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 HoDo Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Arkansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Arkansas' acclaimed eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, The Pantry, and Samanthaβs Tap Room & Wood Grill.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in North Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Arkansas
Comparison | North Dakota | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Colonial Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, proximity to parks | Lakeside properties, large decks |
- The Ranch architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to parks, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside properties and large decks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Arkansas is more walkable than North Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Arkansas is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
- Arkansas has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
- Arkansas housing costs are 20% less expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to North Dakotaβs $253,395.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41%, compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
- Rent in Arkansas is 28.94% more expensive than in North Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and Arkansas
Comparison | North Dakota | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 55Β°F | 93Β°F / 73Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 18Β°F / 0Β°F | 51Β°F / 32Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17-19" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38" | 5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 8% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
- Arkansas 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 tornadoes and floods in Arkansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 11 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 32 degrees warmer than those in North Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 33 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Arkansas
Comparison | North Dakota | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 2.90% | 5.50% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.99% | 0.61% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.85% | 9.51% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Agriculture, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Lower |
Poverty | Lower | Higher |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 23% less than in North Dakota
- The COLI in Arkansas is 5% lower than what you are used to living in North Dakota
- The state income tax in AR is 5.50% compared to 2.90% in ND
- The affluence in Arkansas is lower compared to moderate affluence in North Dakota
- The poverty level is higher in Arkansas compared to lower poverty in North Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Dakota and moderate in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Arkansas
Comparison | North Dakota | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | More rural & agricultural influences | Higher urban influence with strong rural presence |
Religion | Christianity predominant, Lutheran strong | Christianity predominant, Southern Baptist strong |
- North Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian and strongly Southern Baptist
- North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian and strongly Lutheran
Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Arkansas
Comparison | North Dakota | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Freedom Elementary (Fargo) Liberty Elementary (Bismarck) Centennial Elementary (Fargo) | Baker Interdistrict Elementary (Little Rock) Forest Park Elementary (Little Rock) Jefferson Elementary (Little Rock) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Bismarck Middle School (Bismarck) Discovery Middle School (Fargo) Horizon Middle School (Bismarck) | Lisa Academy West Middle (Little Rock) Bentonville Bright Field Middle (Bentonville) Washington Junior High (Bentonville) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Century High School (Bismarck) Davies High School (Fargo) Legacy High School (Bismarck) | Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) Bentonville High School (Bentonville) Rogers High School (Rogers) |
Top 3 private high schools | Shanley High School (Fargo) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Bismarck St. Mary's Central High School (Bismarck) | Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Shiloh Christian School (Springdale) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Grace Lutheran School (Fargo) | The Anthony School (Little Rock) Episcopal Collegiate School (Little Rock) Subiaco Academy (Subiaco) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools West Fargo Public Schools | Bentonville Public Schools Rogers Public Schools Fayetteville Public Schools |
How Much Do North Dakota to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,269 miles from North Dakota to Arkansas will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,922 | 300 ft3 | $6.41 |
1 Bedroom | $2,860 | 450 ft3 | $6.36 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,730 | 750 ft3 | $6.31 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,882 | 1100 ft3 | $6.26 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,930 | 1600 ft3 | $6.21 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,081 | 1800 ft3 | $6.16 |
Top North Dakota to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Dakota to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

B2 Moving
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Arkansas

Two Men and a Truck
