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North Dakota to Idaho Moving Guide

Updated June 14, 2025

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Planning a 951 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Lefse vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (ranch-style homes vs craftsman style homes), 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 Idaho Potatoes & Trout
  • Idaho housing costs are 78% more expensive than they are in North Dakota
  • Rent in Idaho is 58.27% more expensive than in North Dakota
  • Moving from North Dakota to Idaho will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended North Dakota to Idaho movers is 208 Moving Company

North Dakota to Idaho Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Idaho

ConsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited outdoor activities
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Isolated areas
ProsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Milder winters
  • Diverse recreation options
  • Growing job market
  • Better connectivity

Idaho iconIdaho
  • Higher housing costs
  • Potential crowding in cities
  • Busy urban areas
  • Higher state taxes
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Low cost of living
  • Tight-knit communities
  • Less traffic congestion
  • Rich history

Pros of moving from North Dakota to Idaho

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from limited outdoor activities and moving to Idaho with diverse recreation options
  • Swap the fewer job opportunities of North Dakota for a growing job market in Idaho
  • Get ready for better connectivity in Idaho

Cons of moving from North Dakota to Idaho

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in North Dakota to live with higher housing costs in Idaho
  • You'll lose out on the pro of tight-knit communities and have to settle for the con of potential crowding in cities
  • Time to bid farewell to less traffic congestion and get used to busy urban areas in Idaho
  • Swap rich history for higher state taxes

North Dakota vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNorth DakotaIdaho
Most iconic local food itemLefseIdaho Potatoes
Most popular meat dishBison SteakTrout
Most popular street food itemKnoephla SoupFinger Steaks
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice BurgerQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pitchfork Steak Fondue
  • Kroll’s Diner
  • Taylor’s Heroes
  • Westside Drive-In
  • Boise Fry Company
  • State & Lemp
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 Idaho, you will be trading the iconic lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Idaho potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful bison steak and sumptuous Knoephla soup, Idaho residents know they have tasty trout and finger steaks to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the wild rice burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the quinoa salad of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Pitchfork Steak Fondue, Kroll’s Diner, and Taylor’s Heroes. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Westside Drive-In, Boise Fry Company, and State & Lemp.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Idaho

ComparisonNorth DakotaIdaho
Typical Architecture StyleRanch-Style HomesCraftsman Style Homes
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 backyards, energy efficiencyClose to nature, modern amenities
  • The Ranch-Style Homes architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman Style Homes architecture typical of Idaho.
  • Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and energy efficiency, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to nature and modern amenities.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Idaho is less walkable than North Dakota.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Idaho is less bike-friendly than North Dakota.
  • Idaho has less of an urban feel than North Dakota.
  • Idaho housing costs are 78% more expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to North Dakota’s $253,395.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased 69% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
  • Rent in Idaho is 58.27% more expensive than in North Dakota.

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

ComparisonNorth DakotaIdaho
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 DisastersFloods, BlizzardsWildfires, Earthquakes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β° / 55Β°85Β° / 50Β°
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)24Β° / 2Β°36Β° / 19Β°
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1712
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5160
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to Idaho. Idaho gets 2% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
  • Idaho has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to North Dakota.
  • Say goodbye to the possible floods and blizzards in North Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
  • The average summer high temperature in Idaho is 3 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
  • The average winter lows are 17 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho; it receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to North Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Idaho

ComparisonNorth DakotaIdaho
Avg. Household Income$71,970$72,785
Cost of Living Index95.391.5
State Income Tax2.9%6.925%
Avg. Property Tax1.01%0.69%
Avg. Sales Tax5.0%6.0%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Energy, RetailAgriculture, Technology, Tourism
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 1% more than those in North Dakota
  • The COLI in Idaho will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in North Dakota
  • The state income tax in ID is 6.925% compared to 2.9% in ND
  • The affluence in Idaho is moderate compared to moderate in North Dakota
  • The poverty level is moderate in Idaho compared to low in North Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Dakota and moderate in Idaho

Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Idaho

ComparisonNorth DakotaIdaho
Political Make-upConservativeConservative
Local PoliticsMix of Republican and Independent local governanceStrong Republican presence in local governance
ReligionChristianity predominant, mixed denominationsChristianity predominant, with a significant Mormon population
  • North Dakota tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
  • Idaho's religious environment can be described as Christianity predominant, with a significant Mormon population
  • North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominant, mixed denominations

Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Idaho

ComparisonNorth DakotaIdaho
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of North Dakota
North Dakota State University
Minot State University
Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsFreedom Elementary - West Fargo
Centennial Elementary - Fargo
Discovery Elementary - Grand Forks
Longfellow Elementary - Boise
Washington Elementary - Boise
Roosevelt Elementary - Boise
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBen Franklin Middle School - Fargo
Discovery Middle School - Fargo
Wachter Middle School - Bismarck
North Star Charter - Eagle
Heritage Middle School - Meridian
Lake Hazel Middle School - Boise
Top 3 High SchoolsCentral High School - Grand Forks
North High School - Fargo
Red River High School - Grand Forks
Boise High School - Boise
Renaissance High School - Meridian
Eagle High School - Eagle
Top 3 private high schoolsShanley High School - Fargo
Oak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo
Minot Christian School - Minot
The Ambrose School - Meridian
The Sage School - Hailey
Coeur d'Alene Christian School - Coeur d'Alene
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsOak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo
Shiloh Christian School - Bismarck
Minot Christian School - Minot
The Ambrose School - Meridian
Riverstone International School - Boise
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy - Coeur d'Alene
Top 3 School DistrictsFargo Public Schools
Bismarck Public Schools
Grand Forks Public Schools
Boise School District
Blaine County School District
Meridian School District

How Much Do North Dakota to Idaho Movers Cost?

Moving 951 miles from North Dakota to Idaho will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,742300 ft3$5.81
1 Bedroom$2,590450 ft3$5.76
2 Bedrooms$4,279750 ft3$5.71
3 Bedrooms$6,2211100 ft3$5.66
4 Bedrooms$8,9691600 ft3$5.61
5+ Bedrooms$10,0001800 ft3$5.56

Top North Dakota to Idaho Movers

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

TOP PICK
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Idaho

9.49/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Valley Custom Moving featured image

Valley Custom Moving

9.41/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

9.30/10
Exceptional
Top North Dakota to Idaho Routes

Fargo to Idaho