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North Dakota to Maryland Moving Guide

Updated June 21, 2025

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Planning a 1,586 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Maryland? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Maryland across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Lefse vs Crab Cakes), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Lefse and Bison steak, but get your taste buds ready for Crab Cakes & Steamed Crabs
  • Maryland housing costs are 64% more expensive than they are in North Dakota
  • Rent in Maryland is 82.79% more expensive than in North Dakota
  • Moving from North Dakota to Maryland will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended North Dakota to Maryland movers is AT Movers

North Dakota to Maryland Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Maryland

ConsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Extreme winters
  • Limited cultural events
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Rural landscapes
ProsMaryland iconMaryland
  • Milder winters
  • Rich cultural scene
  • Diverse job market
  • Urban amenities

Maryland iconMaryland
  • High living expenses
  • Dense population
  • Impersonal urban life
  • Heavy congestion
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Low cost of living
  • Peaceful, open spaces
  • Tight-knit communities
  • Less traffic

Pros of moving from North Dakota to Maryland

  • Say goodbye to extreme winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from limited cultural events and moving to Maryland with a rich cultural scene
  • Swap the fewer job opportunities of North Dakota for a diverse job market in Maryland
  • Get ready for urban amenities in Maryland

Cons of moving from North Dakota to Maryland

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in North Dakota to live with high living expenses in Maryland
  • You'll lose out on the pro of peaceful, open spaces and have to settle for the con of a dense population
  • Time to bid farewell to tight-knit communities and get used to impersonal urban life in Maryland
  • Swap less traffic for heavy congestion

North Dakota vs. Maryland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNorth DakotaMaryland
Most iconic local food itemLefseCrab Cakes
Most popular meat dishBison steakSteamed Crabs
Most popular street food itemKnoephla SoupSoft Shell Crab Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice BurgerGrilled Veggie Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pitchfork Steak Fondue
  • Kroll's Diner
  • Theodore's Dining Room
  • Phillips Seafood
  • Woodberry Kitchen
  • Faidley Seafood at Lexington Market
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 Maryland, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Crab Cakes of Maryland. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Knoephla Soup, Maryland residents know they have tasty Steamed Crabs and Soft Shell Crab Sandwich 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 Grilled Veggie Tacos of Maryland. 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 Theodore's Dining Room. After the boxes are unpacked in Maryland, don't wait too long before making your way to Maryland's acclaimed eateries like Phillips Seafood, Woodberry Kitchen, and Faidley Seafood at Lexington Market.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Maryland

ComparisonNorth DakotaMaryland
Typical Architecture StyleRanchColonial
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, Outdoor spaceProximity to amenities, Historic features
  • The Ranch architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Maryland.
  • Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and outdoor space, Maryland real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities and historic characteristics.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maryland is more walkable than North Dakota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Maryland is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
  • Maryland has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
  • Maryland housing costs are 64% more expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $414,972 compared to North Dakota’s $253,395.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maryland have increased by 33% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
  • Rent in Maryland is 82.79% more expensive than in North Dakota.

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

ComparisonNorth DakotaMaryland
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, FloodsHurricanes, Floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 57Β°F87Β°F / 66Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)18Β°F / 0Β°F42Β°F / 29Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)17"44"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)48"20.6"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to Maryland. Maryland gets 2% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
  • Maryland has lower 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 hurricanes and floods in Maryland.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Maryland is 5 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
  • The average winter lows are 29 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maryland. Maryland receives 27 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Maryland

ComparisonNorth DakotaMaryland
Avg. Household Income$71,970$94,991
Cost of Living Index95.3124.95
State Income Tax2.9%5.75%
Avg. Property Tax1.02%1.1%
Avg. Sales Tax6.85%6%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Energy, HealthcareBiotechnology, Manufacturing, Cybersecurity
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessRareOccasional
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maryland tend to earn about 32% more than those in North Dakota
  • The COLI in Maryland will be 31% higher than what you are used to living in North Dakota
  • The state income tax in MD is 5.75% compared to 2.9% in ND
  • The affluence in Maryland is high compared to moderate in North Dakota
  • The poverty level is moderate in Maryland compared to low in North Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is rare in North Dakota and occasional in Maryland

Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Maryland

ComparisonNorth DakotaMaryland
Political Make-upConservative/RepublicanLiberal/Democrat
Local PoliticsSmall government, agricultural interestsDiverse interests, urban & suburban concerns
ReligionChristianity predominant, Lutheran & Catholic majorityMixed, with a more diverse religious landscape
  • North Dakota tends to lean Conservative/Republican in its political climate
  • Maryland, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal/Democrat
  • Maryland's religious environment can be described as mixed, with a more diverse religious landscape
  • North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a Lutheran and Catholic majority

Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Maryland

ComparisonNorth DakotaMaryland
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of North Dakota
North Dakota State University
Minot State University
University of Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
Towson University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsFreedom Elementary (West Fargo)
Discovery Elementary (Grand Forks)
Roosevelt Elementary (Mandan)
Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac)
Folger McKinsey Elementary (Severna Park)
Stone Mill Elementary (North Potomac)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBen Franklin Middle School (Fargo)
Horizon Middle School (Bismarck)
Discovery Middle School (Grand Forks)
Eastern Middle School (Silver Spring)
Burleigh Manor Middle School (Ellicott City)
Thomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda)
Top 3 High SchoolsFargo North High School (Fargo)
Century High School (Bismarck)
Red River High School (Grand Forks)
Walt Whitman High School (Bethesda)
Winston Churchill High School (Potomac)
Poolesville High School (Poolesville)
Top 3 private high schoolsShanley High School (Fargo)
St. Mary's Central High School (Bismarck)
Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
Gilman School (Baltimore)
Holton-Arms School (Bethesda)
McDonogh School (Owings Mills)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsOak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck)
Trinity Christian School (Williston)
Gilman School (Baltimore)
McDonogh School (Owings Mills)
Sandy Spring Friends School (Sandy Spring)
Top 3 School DistrictsFargo Public Schools
Bismarck Public Schools
Grand Forks Public Schools
Montgomery County Public Schools
Howard County Public School System
Anne Arundel County Public Schools

How Much Do North Dakota to Maryland Movers Cost?

Moving 1,586 miles from North Dakota to Maryland 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 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,102300 ft3$7.01
1 Bedroom$3,130450 ft3$6.96
2 Bedrooms$5,179750 ft3$6.91
3 Bedrooms$7,5411100 ft3$6.86
4 Bedrooms$10,8891600 ft3$6.81
5+ Bedrooms$12,1601800 ft3$6.76

Top North Dakota to Maryland Movers

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

TOP PICK
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Maryland

9.65/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
AJ Moving Services LLC featured image

AJ Moving Services LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details
Top North Dakota to Maryland Routes

Fargo to Maryland