North Dakota to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 1,569 mile interstate move from North Dakota to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Knoephla Soup vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (ranch and split-level vs victorian and federal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Knoephla Soup and Bison Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce Wings
- DC housing costs are 144% more expensive than they are in North Dakota
- Rent in DC is 135.10% more expensive than in North Dakota
- Moving from North Dakota to DC will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended North Dakota to DC movers is Bookstore Movers
North Dakota to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to DC
- Severe winters
- Limited cultural events
- Fewer job opportunities
- Rural isolation
- Less diversity
- Milder climate
- Rich cultural scene
- Thriving job market
- Vibrant urban life
- Diverse population
- Higher living expenses
- Urban congestion
- Heavy traffic
- Fast-paced environment
- Anonymity in crowds
- Lower cost of living
- Open landscapes
- Less traffic
- Quiet lifestyle
- Close-knit community
Pros of moving from North Dakota to DC
- Say goodbye to severe winters and hello to milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited cultural events and moving to DC with a rich cultural scene
- Swap the fewer job opportunities of North Dakota for a thriving job market in DC
- Get ready for vibrant urban life in DC
Cons of moving from North Dakota to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in North Dakota to live with higher living expenses in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of open landscapes and have to settle with the con of urban congestion
- Time to bid farewell to less traffic and get used to heavy traffic in DC
- Swap a quiet lifestyle for a fast-paced environment
North Dakota vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Dakota | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Knoephla Soup | Half-Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Steak | Mumbo Sauce Wings |
Most popular street food item | Fry Bread Tacos | Food Trucks |
Most popular vegan food | Lentil Burgers | Vegan Ethiopian |
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 DC, you will be trading the iconic Knoephla Soup of North Dakota for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Fry Bread Tacos, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce Wings and Food Trucks to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil Burgers they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Ethiopian of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Pitmaster's Back Alley BBQ, Rose Quarter Cafe, and Kroll's Diner. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rose's Luxury, and Zaytinya.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in North Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and DC
Comparison | North Dakota | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch and Split-level | Victorian and Federal |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Garages and Spacious Yards | Proximity to Metro and Historic Charm |
- The Ranch and Split-level architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Federal architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference garages and spacious yards, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to the metro and historic charm.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than North Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
- DC has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
- DC housing costs are 144% more expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to North Dakotaβs $253,395.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
- Rent in DC is 135.10% more expensive than in North Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and DC
Comparison | North Dakota | DC |
---|---|---|
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 | Floods, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 55Β°F | 88Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F / 2Β°F | 47Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17" | 40" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 46" | 15" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to DC. DC gets 1% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
- DC has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to North Dakota.
- Say goodbye to the possible floods and tornadoes in North Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in DC.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 6 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 28 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in DC. DC receives 23 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and DC
Comparison | North Dakota | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 2.9% | 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.02% | 0.55% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.85% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing | Government, Education, Tech |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 40% more than in North Dakota
- The COLI in DC will be 47% higher than what you are used to living in North Dakota
- The state income tax in DC is 10.75% compared to 2.9% in ND
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate in North Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in DC compared to low in North Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Dakota and moderate in DC
Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. DC
Comparison | North Dakota | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative-leaning | Liberal-leaning |
Local Politics | Republican dominance in state government | Democratic dominance in local government |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with Lutheran and Catholic majorities | Diverse, with a significant Christian population alongside other faiths |
- North Dakota tends to lean conservative-leaning in its political climate
- DC, on the other hand, is often described as liberal-leaning
- DC's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a significant Christian population alongside other faiths
- North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian, with Lutheran and Catholic majorities
Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to DC
Comparison | North Dakota | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | NDSU UND MSUM | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Liberty Elementary (Fargo) Freedom Elementary (West Fargo) Roosevelt Elementary (Mandan) | Janney Elementary Lafayette Elementary Mann Elementary (All in Washington DC) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ben Franklin Middle School (Fargo) Horizon Middle School (Bismarck) Discovery Middle School (Fargo) | Deal Middle School Hardy Middle School Alice Deal Middle School (All in Washington DC) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Fargo North High (Fargo) Century High (Bismarck) Red River High (Grand Forks) | School Without Walls High Banneker High McKinley Technology High (All in Washington DC) |
Top 3 private high schools | Shanley High (Fargo) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Bismarck Catholic High (Bismarck) | Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Day School St. Albans School (All in Washington DC) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Dakota Adventist Academy (Bismarck) | Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Day School National Cathedral School (All in Washington DC) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools West Fargo Public Schools | DC Public Schools |
How Much Do North Dakota to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 1,569 miles from North Dakota to DC 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: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,092 | 300 ft3 | $6.97 |
1 Bedroom | $3,115 | 450 ft3 | $6.92 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,155 | 750 ft3 | $6.87 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,506 | 1100 ft3 | $6.82 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,837 | 1600 ft3 | $6.77 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,102 | 1800 ft3 | $6.72 |
Top North Dakota to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Dakota to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.