North Dakota to Missouri Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 1,046 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Missouri? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Missouri across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Knoephla Soup vs St. Louis-style Pizza), real estate & housing (ranch and split-level vs colonial and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Knoephla Soup and Bison Steak, but get your taste buds ready for St. Louis-style Pizza & BBQ Ribs
- Missouri housing costs are 4% less expensive than they are in North Dakota
- Rent in Missouri is 30.77% more expensive than in North Dakota
- Moving from North Dakota to Missouri will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended North Dakota to Missouri movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
North Dakota to Missouri Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Missouri
- Harsh winters
- Remote locations
- Limited amenities
- Mild winters
- Urban conveniences
- Vibrant culture
- Higher crime rates
- Less community feel
- Higher living cost
- Low crime rates
- Close-knit community
- Low living cost
Pros of moving from North Dakota to Missouri
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from remote locations and moving to Missouri with urban conveniences
- Swap the limited amenities of North Dakota for vibrant culture in Missouri
Cons of moving from North Dakota to Missouri
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from low crime rates in North Dakota to live with higher crime rates in Missouri
- You'll lose out on the pro of a close-knit community and have to settle for the con of less community feel
- Time to bid farewell to low living costs and get used to higher living costs in Missouri
North Dakota vs. Missouri: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Dakota | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Knoephla Soup | St. Louis-style Pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Steak | BBQ Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Fleischkuekle | Toasted Ravioli |
Most popular vegan food | Lentil Dish | BBQ Cauliflower Wings |
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 Missouri, you will be trading the iconic Knoephla Soup of North Dakota for the equally delicious St. Louis-style Pizza of Missouri. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Fleischkuekle, Missouri residents know they have tasty BBQ Ribs and Toasted Ravioli to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil Dish they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Cauliflower Wings of Missouri. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Kroll's Diner, The HoDo Restaurant, and Pitchfork Steak Fondue. After the boxes are unpacked in Missouri, don't wait too long before making your way to Missouri's acclaimed eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Kansas City Joe's BBQ, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard.
When comparing lifestyles, Missouri shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Missouri compared to what you are used to in North Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Missouri.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Missouri
Comparison | North Dakota | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch and Split-level | Colonial and Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, proximity to nature | Historic homes, community amenities |
- The Ranch and Split-level architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Missouri.
- Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to nature, Missouri real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes and community amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Missouri is more walkable than North Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Missouri is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
- Missouri has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
- Missouri housing costs are 4% less expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $243,216 compared to North Dakotaβs $253,395.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Missouri have increased by 49% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
- Rent in Missouri is 30.77% more expensive than in North Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and Missouri
Comparison | North Dakota | Missouri |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, floods | Tornadoes, floods |
Air Quality | Good | Varies |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F/55Β°F | 89Β°F/67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F/2Β°F | 40Β°F/20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 46 | 18 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to Missouri. Missouri gets 2% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
- Missouri 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 tornadoes and floods in Missouri.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Missouri is 7 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 18 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Missouri. Missouri receives 25 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Missouri
Comparison | North Dakota | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $64,811 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 1.10% - 2.90% | 0% - 5.40% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.00% | 0.91% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.85% | 8.03% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing | Healthcare, Retail, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Missouri tend to earn about 10% less than in North Dakota
- The COLI in Missouri will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in North Dakota
- The state income tax in MO is 0% to 5.40% compared to 1.10% to 2.90% in ND
- The affluence in Missouri is moderate compared to moderate in North Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in Missouri compared to low in North Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Dakota and low in Missouri
Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Missouri
Comparison | North Dakota | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Republican | Mix of Republican and Democratic |
Local Politics | Conservative on most issues | Moderate, varies by region |
Religion | Christianity (Protestant/Catholic) | Christianity (Protestant/Catholic) with some religious diversity |
- North Dakota tends to lean primarily Republican in its political climate
- Missouri, on the other hand, is often described as a mix of Republican and Democratic
- Missouri's religious environment can be described as Christianity (Protestant/Catholic) with some religious diversity
- North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity (Protestant/Catholic)
Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Missouri
Comparison | North Dakota | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | 1. University of North Dakota Grand Forks 2. North Dakota State University Fargo 3. Minot State University Minot | 1. University of Missouri Columbia 2. Missouri State University Springfield 3. Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | 1. Freedom Elementary West Fargo 2. Liberty Elementary Bismarck 3. Centennial Elementary Fargo | 1. Wilson Elementary Clayton 2. Old Bonhomme Elementary Olivette 3. Conway Elementary Ladue |
Top 3 Middle Schools | 1. Horizon Middle School Bismarck 2. Ben Franklin Middle School Fargo 3. Simle Middle School Bismarck | 1. Ladue Middle School Ladue 2. Wydown Middle School Clayton 3. Pembroke Hill Middle School Kansas City |
Top 3 High Schools | 1. Century High School Bismarck 2. Fargo North High School Fargo 3. Red River High School Grand Forks | 1. Clayton High School Clayton 2. Ladue Horton Watkins High School Ladue 3. Parkway West High School Ballwin |
Top 3 private high schools | 1. Shiloh Christian School Bismarck 2. Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo 3. Trinity High School Dickinson | 1. St. Louis University High School St. Louis 2. The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City 3. John Burroughs School Ladue |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | 1. Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo 2. Shiloh Christian School Bismarck 3. Trinity High School Dickinson | 1. The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City 2. Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School St. Louis 3. Thomas Jefferson School St. Louis |
Top 3 School Districts | 1. Bismarck Public Schools Bismarck 2. West Fargo Public Schools West Fargo 3. Fargo Public Schools Fargo | 1. Clayton School District Clayton 2. Ladue School District Ladue 3. Kirkwood R-VII School District Kirkwood |
How Much Do North Dakota to Missouri Movers Cost?
Moving 1,046 miles from North Dakota to Missouri 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: 3-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,795 | 300 ft3 | $5.98 |
1 Bedroom | $2,671 | 450 ft3 | $5.93 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,414 | 750 ft3 | $5.88 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,418 | 1100 ft3 | $5.83 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,256 | 1600 ft3 | $5.78 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,323 | 1800 ft3 | $5.73 |
Top North Dakota to Missouri Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Dakota to Missouri movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Missouri