North Dakota to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

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
- Harsh winters
- Limited outdoor activities
- Fewer job opportunities
- Isolated areas
- Milder winters
- Diverse recreation options
- Growing job market
- Better connectivity
- Higher housing costs
- Potential crowding in cities
- Busy urban areas
- Higher state taxes
- 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
Comparison | North Dakota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Idaho Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Steak | Trout |
Most popular street food item | Knoephla Soup | Finger Steaks |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Quinoa Salad |
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 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, Krollβs Diner, and Taylorβs 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
Comparison | North Dakota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch-Style Homes | Craftsman Style Homes |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, energy efficiency | Close 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 Dakotaβs $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
Comparison | North Dakota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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, Blizzards | Wildfires, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β° / 55Β° | 85Β° / 50Β° |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β° / 2Β° | 36Β° / 19Β° |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17 | 12 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51 | 60 |
- 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
Comparison | North Dakota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 2.9% | 6.925% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.01% | 0.69% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.0% | 6.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Energy, Retail | Agriculture, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | North Dakota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Mix of Republican and Independent local governance | Strong Republican presence in local governance |
Religion | Christianity predominant, mixed denominations | Christianity 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
Comparison | North Dakota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Freedom Elementary - West Fargo Centennial Elementary - Fargo Discovery Elementary - Grand Forks | Longfellow Elementary - Boise Washington Elementary - Boise Roosevelt Elementary - Boise |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ben 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 Schools | Central 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 schools | Shanley 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 schools | Oak 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 Districts | Fargo 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,742 | 300 ft3 | $5.81 |
1 Bedroom | $2,590 | 450 ft3 | $5.76 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,279 | 750 ft3 | $5.71 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,221 | 1100 ft3 | $5.66 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,969 | 1600 ft3 | $5.61 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,000 | 1800 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.

208 Moving Company
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Idaho

Valley Custom Moving
