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North Dakota to Arkansas Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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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

ConsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job market
  • Rural isolation
  • Fewer cultural events
ProsArkansas iconArkansas
  • Milder climate
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Community activities
  • Vibrant arts scene

Arkansas iconArkansas
  • Higher crime rates
  • Denser traffic
  • Less open space
  • Moderate cost of living
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • 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

ComparisonNorth DakotaArkansas
Most iconic local food itemLefseFried Catfish
Most popular meat dishBison SteakSmoked BBQ Pork
Most popular street food itemFargo HotdishBBQ Nachos
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice SoupBlack Bean Burgers
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
    • Kroll's Diner
    • Pirogue Grille
    • HoDo Restaurant
    • McClard's Bar-B-Q
    • The Pantry
    • Samantha’s Tap Room & Wood Grill
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 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 Samantha’s 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

ComparisonNorth DakotaArkansas
Typical Architecture StyleRanchColonial Revival
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 listingSpacious yards, proximity to parksLakeside 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 Dakota’s $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

ComparisonNorth DakotaArkansas
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 DisastersBlizzards, FloodsTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 55Β°F93Β°F / 73Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)18Β°F / 0Β°F51Β°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

ComparisonNorth DakotaArkansas
Avg. Household Income$71,970$55,432
Cost of Living Index95.390.5
State Income Tax2.90%5.50%
Avg. Property Tax0.99%0.61%
Avg. Sales Tax6.85%9.51%
Top 3 IndustriesEnergy, Agriculture, ManufacturingAgriculture, Retail, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateLower
PovertyLowerHigher
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • 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

ComparisonNorth DakotaArkansas
Political Make-upLean RepublicanLean Republican
Local PoliticsMore rural & agricultural influencesHigher urban influence with strong rural presence
ReligionChristianity predominant, Lutheran strongChristianity 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

ComparisonNorth DakotaArkansas
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 SchoolsFreedom 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 SchoolsBismarck 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 SchoolsCentury 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 schoolsShanley 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 schoolsOak 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 DistrictsFargo 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 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,922300 ft3$6.41
1 Bedroom$2,860450 ft3$6.36
2 Bedrooms$4,730750 ft3$6.31
3 Bedrooms$6,8821100 ft3$6.26
4 Bedrooms$9,9301600 ft3$6.21
5+ Bedrooms$11,0811800 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.

TOP PICK
B2 Moving featured image

B2 Moving

Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Arkansas

9.44/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

9.30/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Quality Pack & Load featured image

Quality Pack & Load

9.06/10
Exceptional
Top North Dakota to Arkansas Routes

Fargo to Arkansas