North Dakota to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 355 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Lefse vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (ranch vs victorian and modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lefse and Bison steak, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Walleye
- Minnesota housing costs are 31% more expensive than they are in North Dakota
- Rent in Minnesota is 63.27% more expensive than in North Dakota
- Moving from North Dakota to Minnesota will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended North Dakota to Minnesota movers is Metro Movers
North Dakota to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Minnesota
- Severe winters
- Limited urban amenities
- Few job opportunities
- Isolation
- Fewer healthcare facilities
- Milder climate
- Vibrant cities
- Diverse job market
- Rich cultural life
- Advanced healthcare system
- Higher cost of living
- Greater traffic congestion
- Less open space
- Higher population density
- Higher crime rates
- Low cost of living
- Safe communities
- Beautiful landscapes
- Friendly locals
- Low crime rate
Pros of moving from North Dakota to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to severe winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited urban amenities and moving to Minnesota with vibrant cities
- Swap the few job opportunities of North Dakota for a diverse job market in Minnesota
- Get ready for a rich cultural life in Minnesota
Cons of moving from North Dakota to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in North Dakota to live with a higher cost of living in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of safe communities and have to settle with the con of greater traffic congestion
- Time to bid farewell to beautiful landscapes and get used to less open space in Minnesota
- Swap friendly locals for a higher population density
North Dakota vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Dakota | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Bison steak | Walleye |
Most popular street food item | Knoephla soup | Jucy Lucy burger |
Most popular vegan food | Rhubarb pie | Vegan wild rice soup |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison steak and sumptuous Knoephla soup, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Jucy Lucy burger to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Rhubarb pie they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan wild rice soup of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Hunter's Club, Kroll's Diner, and Sickies Garage. After the boxes are unpacked in Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Matt's Bar, Spoon and Stable, and Cafe Alma.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Minnesota compared to what you are used to in North Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Minnesota
Comparison | North Dakota | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Victorian and Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, garages | Eco-friendly features, lakefront |
- The Ranch architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Modern architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garages, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly amenities and lakefront properties.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Minnesota is more walkable than North Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Minnesota is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
- Minnesota has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
- Minnesota housing costs are 31% more expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to North Dakotaβs $253,395.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
- Rent in Minnesota is 63.27% more expensive than in North Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and Minnesota
Comparison | North Dakota | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
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 | Floods, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 57Β°F | 83Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 18Β°F / 0Β°F | 23Β°F / 7Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17" | 30" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 46" | 54" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Dakota to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 1% fewer sunshine days than North Dakota.
- Minnesota has higher humidity and a lower 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 floods and tornadoes in Minnesota.
- The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 1 degree warmer than in North Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer in Minnesota than they are in North Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 13 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Minnesota
Comparison | North Dakota | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 2.9% - 5.04% | 5.35% - 9.85% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.01% | 1.10% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.0% | 6.875% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate to High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 14% more than in North Dakota
- The COLI in Minnesota is 4% higher than what you are used to living in North Dakota
- The state income tax in MN is 5.35% to 9.85% compared to 2.9% to 5.04% in ND
- The affluence in Minnesota is moderate to high compared to moderate in North Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in Minnesota compared to low in North Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in North Dakota and moderate in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Minnesota
Comparison | North Dakota | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Democratic Dominance |
Religion | Christianity Predominant | Mixed, with a Large Christian Majority |
- North Dakota tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as mixed, with a large Christian majority
- North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity
Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Minnesota
Comparison | North Dakota | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University University of St. Thomas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Freedom Elementary (West Fargo) Liberty Elementary (Bismarck) Centennial Elementary (Fargo) | Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka) Greenwood Elementary (Plymouth) Deephaven Elementary (Deephaven) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ben Franklin Middle School (Fargo) Discovery Middle School (Fargo) Horizon Middle School (Moorhead) | Wayzata East Middle School (Plymouth) Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) Twin Oaks Middle School (Prior Lake) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Fargo South High School (Fargo) Century High School (Bismarck) Grand Forks Central High School (Grand Forks) | Edina High School (Edina) Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) Wayzata High School (Plymouth) |
Top 3 private high schools | Shanley High School (Fargo) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Bismarck Catholic High School (Bismarck) | Breck School (Golden Valley) Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) The Blake School (Minneapolis) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Trinity Christian School (Williston) | The Blake School (Minneapolis) Breck School (Golden Valley) Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools West Fargo Public Schools | Minnetonka Public School District Edina Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools |
How Much Do North Dakota to Minnesota Movers Cost?
Moving 355 miles from North Dakota to Minnesota will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 5-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,404 | 300 ft3 | $4.68 |
1 Bedroom | $2,083 | 450 ft3 | $4.63 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,434 | 750 ft3 | $4.58 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,982 | 1100 ft3 | $4.53 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,167 | 1600 ft3 | $4.48 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,972 | 1800 ft3 | $4.43 |
Top North Dakota to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Dakota to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.