North Dakota to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 912 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Lefse vs Coney Dog), real estate & housing (ranch, modern vs colonial, craftsman), 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 Coney Dog & Pasties
- Michigan housing costs are 5% less expensive than they are in North Dakota
- Rent in Michigan is 42.12% more expensive than in North Dakota
- Moving from North Dakota to Michigan will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended North Dakota to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving
North Dakota to Michigan Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Michigan
- Harsh winters
- Remote location
- Limited job market
- Lack of cultural diversity
- Expansive plains
- Mild winters
- Vibrant cities
- Diverse economy
- Rich cultural scene
- Great Lakes access
- Busier pace
- Higher prices
- Higher crime rate
- Urban sprawl
- Less personal feel
- Quiet lifestyle
- Lower cost of living
- Low crime rate
- Scenic landscapes
- Close-knit communities
Pros of moving from North Dakota to Michigan
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from a remote location and moving to Michigan with vibrant cities
- Swap the limited job market of North Dakota for a diverse economy in Michigan
- Get ready for a rich cultural scene in Michigan
Cons of moving from North Dakota to Michigan
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a quiet lifestyle in North Dakota to live with a busier pace in Michigan
- You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle with the con of higher prices
- Time to bid farewell to a low crime rate and get used to a higher crime rate in Michigan
- Swap scenic landscapes for urban sprawl
North Dakota vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Dakota | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Coney Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Bison steak | Pasties |
Most popular street food item | Knoephla Soup | Street Pizza |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Kuchen | Vegan Pasty |
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 Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Coney Dog of Michigan. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Knoephla Soup, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasties and Street Pizza to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Kuchen they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Pasty of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Restaurant A, Restaurant B, and Restaurant C. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like Restaurant D, Restaurant E, and Restaurant F.
When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Michigan compared to what you are used to in North Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Michigan.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Michigan
Comparison | North Dakota | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Modern | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious lots, Energy efficient | Lake access, Historical features |
- The Ranch and Modern architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Michigan.
- Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious lots and energy efficiency, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and historical elements.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Michigan is more walkable than North Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Michigan is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
- Michigan has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
- Michigan housing costs are 5% less expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to North Dakotaβs $253,395.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased by 45% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
- Rent in Michigan is 42.12% more expensive than in North Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and Michigan
Comparison | North Dakota | Michigan |
---|---|---|
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 | Floods, Winter Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 56Β°F | 81Β°F / 59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 23Β°F / 2Β°F | 31Β°F / 17Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17-20 | 30-38 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 60-80 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Dakota to Michigan. Michigan gets 15% fewer sunshine days than North Dakota.
- Michigan has higher humidity and a similar 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 floods and winter storms in Michigan.
- The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 1 degree colder than in North Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 15 degrees warmer in Michigan than they are in North Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Michigan. Michigan receives 13 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Michigan
Comparison | North Dakota | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 2.9% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.0% | 1.5% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.0% | 6.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing | Automotive, Healthcare, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 7% less than in North Dakota
- The COLI in Michigan will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in North Dakota
- The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 2.9% in ND
- The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to moderate in North Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to low in North Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Dakota and moderate in Michigan
Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Michigan
Comparison | North Dakota | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative-majority | Moderate with Democratic lean |
Local Politics | Republican-dominated legislature | Mixture of Democratic-held cities and Republican rural areas |
Religion | <a href="https://www.ndcatholic.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Catholic</a> & Protestant-majority | Protestant-majority with significant Catholic and Muslim communities |
- North Dakota tends to lean conservative-majority in its political climate
- Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as moderate with a Democratic lean
- Michigan's religious environment can be described as protestant-majority with significant Catholic and Muslim communities
- North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as <a href="https://www.ndcatholic.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">catholic</a> and Protestant-majority
Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Michigan
Comparison | North Dakota | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of North Dakota North Dakota State University University of Jamestown | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Freedman Elementary - Fargo Discovery Elementary - Grand Forks Roosevelt Elementary - Mandan | Bates Elementary - Dexter Wealthy Elementary - East Grand Rapids Musson Elementary - Rochester Hills |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ben Franklin Middle School - Fargo Horizon Middle School - Bismarck Discovery Middle School - Fargo | West Middle School - Rochester East Middle School - Plymouth Boulan Park Middle School - Troy |
Top 3 High Schools | Central High School - Grand Forks Century High School - Bismarck Red River High School - Grand Forks | International Academy - Bloomfield Hills Troy High School - Troy City Middle/High School - Grand Rapids |
Top 3 private high schools | Oak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo Shiloh Christian School - Bismarck Fargo Catholic Schools Network - Fargo | Detroit Country Day School - Beverly Hills Cranbrook Schools - Bloomfield Hills Roeper School - Bloomfield Hills |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Dakota Adventist Academy - Bismarck Oak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo Shiloh Christian School - Bismarck | Cranbrook Schools - Bloomfield Hills Detroit Country Day School - Beverly Hills Greenhills School - Ann Arbor |
Top 3 School Districts | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools Grand Forks Public Schools | East Grand Rapids Public Schools Ann Arbor Public Schools Bloomfield Hills Schools |
How Much Do North Dakota to Michigan Movers Cost?
Moving 912 miles from North Dakota to Michigan 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
- Expected Time To Complete: 6.5-15.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,720 | 300 ft3 | $5.73 |
1 Bedroom | $2,557 | 450 ft3 | $5.68 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,224 | 750 ft3 | $5.63 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,140 | 1100 ft3 | $5.58 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,851 | 1600 ft3 | $5.53 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,867 | 1800 ft3 | $5.48 |
Top North Dakota to Michigan Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Dakota to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pro-Low Moving
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Michigan