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North Dakota to Michigan Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

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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

ConsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Remote location
  • Limited job market
  • Lack of cultural diversity
  • Expansive plains
ProsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Mild winters
  • Vibrant cities
  • Diverse economy
  • Rich cultural scene
  • Great Lakes access

Michigan iconMichigan
  • Busier pace
  • Higher prices
  • Higher crime rate
  • Urban sprawl
  • Less personal feel
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • 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

ComparisonNorth DakotaMichigan
Most iconic local food itemLefseConey Dog
Most popular meat dishBison steakPasties
Most popular street food itemKnoephla SoupStreet Pizza
Most popular vegan foodVegan KuchenVegan Pasty
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
    • Restaurant A
    • Restaurant B
    • Restaurant C
    • Restaurant D
    • Restaurant E
    • Restaurant F
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 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

ComparisonNorth DakotaMichigan
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, ModernColonial, Craftsman
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 lots, Energy efficientLake 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 Dakota’s $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

ComparisonNorth DakotaMichigan
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, TornadoesFloods, Winter Storms
Air QualityGoodGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 56Β°F81Β°F / 59Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)23Β°F / 2Β°F31Β°F / 17Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)17-2030-38
Annual Snowfall (Inches)4860-80
  • 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

ComparisonNorth DakotaMichigan
Avg. Household Income$71,970$66,986
Cost of Living Index95.391.2
State Income Tax2.9%4.25%
Avg. Property Tax1.0%1.5%
Avg. Sales Tax5.0%6.0%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Energy, ManufacturingAutomotive, Healthcare, Technology
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • 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

ComparisonNorth DakotaMichigan
Political Make-upConservative-majorityModerate with Democratic lean
Local PoliticsRepublican-dominated legislatureMixture of Democratic-held cities and Republican rural areas
Religion<a href="https://www.ndcatholic.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Catholic</a> & Protestant-majorityProtestant-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

ComparisonNorth DakotaMichigan
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 SchoolsFreedman Elementary - Fargo
Discovery Elementary - Grand Forks
Roosevelt Elementary - Mandan
Bates Elementary - Dexter
Wealthy Elementary - East Grand Rapids
Musson Elementary - Rochester Hills
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBen 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 SchoolsCentral 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 schoolsOak 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 schoolsDakota 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 DistrictsFargo 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 6.5-15.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,720300 ft3$5.73
1 Bedroom$2,557450 ft3$5.68
2 Bedrooms$4,224750 ft3$5.63
3 Bedrooms$6,1401100 ft3$5.58
4 Bedrooms$8,8511600 ft3$5.53
5+ Bedrooms$9,8671800 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.

TOP PICK
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Michigan

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Handle With Care Moving & Delivery  featured image

Handle With Care Moving & Delivery

9.07/10
ExceptionalView details
Top North Dakota to Michigan Routes

Fargo to Michigan