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North Dakota to Indiana Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 1,052 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Indiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Indiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Lefse vs Sugar Cream Pie), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Indiana), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Lefse and Bison Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Sugar Cream Pie & Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
  • Indiana housing costs are 6% less expensive than they are in North Dakota
  • Rent in Indiana is 32.21% more expensive than in North Dakota
  • Moving from North Dakota to Indiana will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended North Dakota to Indiana movers is Two Men and a Truck

North Dakota to Indiana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Indiana

ConsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • harsh winters
  • sparse entertainment
  • limited job opportunities
  • long travel distances
  • isolated communities
ProsIndiana iconIndiana
  • milder winters
  • vibrant cultural scene
  • diverse job market
  • better connectivity
  • bustling neighborhoods

Indiana iconIndiana
  • higher taxes
  • more congestion
  • higher cost of living
  • less personal connection
  • busy roads
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • low state taxes
  • wide-open spaces
  • affordable living costs
  • tight-knit communities
  • less traffic

Pros of moving from North Dakota to Indiana

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from sparse entertainment and moving to Indiana with a vibrant cultural scene
  • Swap the limited job opportunities of North Dakota for a diverse job market in Indiana
  • Get ready for better connectivity in Indiana

Cons of moving from North Dakota to Indiana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from low state taxes in North Dakota to live with higher taxes in Indiana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of wide-open spaces and have to settle for the con of more congestion
  • Time to bid farewell to affordable living costs and get used to a higher cost of living in Indiana
  • Swap tight-knit communities for less personal connection

North Dakota vs. Indiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNorth DakotaIndiana
Most iconic local food itemLefseSugar Cream Pie
Most popular meat dishBison SteakPork Tenderloin Sandwich
Most popular street food itemKnoephla SoupElephant Ears
Most popular vegan foodChia Seed PuddingSeitan Wings
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pitchfork Steak Fondue
  • Kroll's Diner
  • The HoDo Restaurant
  • St. Elmo Steak House
  • Bluebeard
  • Milktooth
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 Indiana, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Sugar Cream Pie of Indiana. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Knoephla Soup, Indiana residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Elephant Ears to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Chia Seed Pudding they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Wings of Indiana. 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 The HoDo Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Indiana, don't wait too long before making your way to Indiana's acclaimed eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and Milktooth.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Indiana

ComparisonNorth DakotaIndiana
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, garage spaceHistorical features, proximity to amenities
  • The Ranch architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival architecture typical of Indiana.
  • Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garage space, Indiana real estate listings often highlight features like historical details and proximity to amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Indiana is more walkable than North Dakota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Indiana is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
  • Indiana has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
  • Indiana housing costs are 6% less expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $236,990 compared to North Dakota’s $253,395.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Indiana have increased by 54% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
  • Rent in Indiana is 32.21% more expensive than in North Dakota.

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

ComparisonNorth DakotaIndiana
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, blizzardsTornadoes, floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 57Β°F85Β°F / 64Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)24Β°F / 2Β°F36Β°F / 20Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)17-2540-45
Annual Snowfall (Inches)30-5020-30
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Dakota to Indiana. Indiana gets 7% fewer sunshine days than North Dakota.
  • Indiana has higher 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 tornadoes and floods in Indiana.
  • The average summer high temperature in Indiana is 3 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
  • The average winter lows in Indiana are 18 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Indiana. Indiana receives 23 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Indiana

ComparisonNorth DakotaIndiana
Avg. Household Income$71,970$66,785
Cost of Living Index95.392.95
State Income Tax2.93.23
Avg. Property Tax1.010.87
Avg. Sales Tax6.867.00
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Energy, ManufacturingManufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessMinimalNoticeable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Indiana tend to earn about 7% less than in North Dakota
  • The COLI in Indiana will be 2% lower than what you are used to living in North Dakota
  • The state income tax in IN is 3.23 compared to 2.9 in ND
  • The affluence in Indiana is moderate compared to moderate affluence in North Dakota
  • The poverty level is moderate in Indiana compared to low in North Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in North Dakota and noticeable in Indiana

Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Indiana

ComparisonNorth DakotaIndiana
Political Make-upLean ConservativeSwing state, recently leans Conservative
Local PoliticsRepublican dominance in state legislatureMixed, with Republican control in recent years
ReligionChristianity dominant; Lutheran strong presenceChristianity dominant; Catholic & Evangelical strong presence
  • North Dakota tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Indiana, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, and recently leans Conservative
  • Indiana's religious environment can be described as Christianity dominant with a strong presence of Catholicism & Evangelicalism
  • North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant with a strong presence of Lutheranism

Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Indiana

ComparisonNorth DakotaIndiana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)North Dakota State University
University of North Dakota
Minot State University
Indiana University Bloomington
Purdue University
University of Notre Dame
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsFreedom Elementary - West Fargo
Longfellow Elementary - Fargo
Centennial Elementary - Bismarck
Paramount School of Excellence - Indianapolis
Signature School - Evansville
University Elementary School - Bloomington
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBen Franklin Middle School - Fargo
Horizon Middle School - Bismarck
Discovery Middle School - Grand Forks
West Lafayette Junior/Senior High - West Lafayette
Fall Creek Valley Middle School - Indianapolis
St. Simon the Apostle School - Indianapolis
Top 3 High School SchoolsFargo North High - Fargo
Century High - Bismarck
Red River High - Grand Forks
Signature School - Evansville
Carmel High - Carmel
Fishers High School - Fishers
Top 3 private high schoolsShanley High School - Fargo
Oak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo
Light of Christ Academy - Bismarck
Culver Academies - Culver
Park Tudor School - Indianapolis
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School - Indianapolis
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsOak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo
Shiloh Christian School - Bismarck
Trinity Christian School - Williston
Traders Point Christian Academy - Whitestown
Heritage Christian School - Indianapolis
The International School - Indianapolis
Top 3 School DistrictsFargo Public Schools
Bismarck Public Schools
Grand Forks Public Schools
Carmel Clay Schools
Hamilton Southeastern Schools
West Lafayette Community School Corporation

How Much Do North Dakota to Indiana Movers Cost?

Moving 1,052 miles from North Dakota to Indiana will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Bulldogs Moving Co.
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,799300 ft3$6.00
1 Bedroom$2,676450 ft3$5.95
2 Bedrooms$4,422750 ft3$5.90
3 Bedrooms$6,4311100 ft3$5.85
4 Bedrooms$9,2741600 ft3$5.80
5+ Bedrooms$10,3431800 ft3$5.75

Top North Dakota to Indiana Movers

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

TOP PICK
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Indiana

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
MVM Moving & Storage featured image

MVM Moving & Storage

9.23/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Bulldogs Moving Co. featured image

Bulldogs Moving Co.

9.13/10
ExceptionalView details