Movers

North Dakota to North Carolina Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 1,665 mile interstate move from North Dakota to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild climate), food & health (like Lefse vs Pulled Pork BBQ), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Dakota), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Lefse and Walleye, but get your taste buds ready for Pulled Pork BBQ & Eastern NC Barbecue
  • North Carolina housing costs are 30% more expensive than they are in North Dakota
  • Rent in North Carolina is 69.71% more expensive than in North Dakota
  • Moving from North Dakota to North Carolina will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended North Dakota to North Carolina movers is Just Move It, LLC

North Dakota to North Carolina Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to North Carolina

ConsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited entertainment
  • Remote locations
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Bland landscapes
ProsNorth Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Mild climate
  • Vibrant cultural scene
  • Proximity to beaches
  • Growing job market
  • Scenic views

North Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Higher expenses
  • Noisy urban areas
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Traffic congestion
  • Hurricane risk
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Low cost of living
  • Quiet surroundings
  • Strong community bonds
  • Relaxed pace
  • Natural beauty

Pros of moving from North Dakota to North Carolina

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a mild climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited entertainment and moving to North Carolina with a vibrant cultural scene
  • Swap the remote locations of North Dakota for proximity to beaches in North Carolina
  • Get ready for a growing job market in North Carolina

Cons of moving from North Dakota to North Carolina

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in North Dakota to live with higher expenses in North Carolina
  • You'll lose out on the pro of quiet surroundings and have to settle with the con of noisy urban areas
  • Time to bid farewell to strong community bonds and get used to a fast-paced lifestyle in North Carolina
  • Swap a relaxed pace for traffic congestion

North Dakota vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNorth DakotaNorth Carolina
Most iconic local food itemLefsePulled Pork BBQ
Most popular meat dishWalleyeEastern NC Barbecue
Most popular street food itemKnoephla SoupShrimp and Grits
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice BurgerBBQ Tofu
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Kroll's Diner
  • Dakota Harvest Bakers
  • Pitchfork Steak Fondue
  • Skylight Inn BBQ
  • Cheerwine
  • Lexington Barbecue
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from North Dakota to North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Knoephla Soup, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Eastern NC Barbecue and Shrimp and Grits 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 BBQ Tofu of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Kroll's Diner, Dakota Harvest Bakers, and Pitchfork Steak Fondue. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Skylight Inn BBQ, Cheerwine, and Lexington Barbecue.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and North Carolina

ComparisonNorth DakotaNorth Carolina
Typical Architecture StyleRanchColonial Revival
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, energy efficiencyNearby amenities, hardwood floors
  • The Ranch architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival architecture typical of North Carolina.
  • Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and energy efficiency, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like nearby amenities and hardwood floors.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Carolina is more walkable than North Dakota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Carolina is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
  • North Carolina has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
  • North Carolina housing costs are 30% more expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to North Dakota’s $253,395.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
  • Rent in North Carolina is 69.71% more expensive than in North Dakota.

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

ComparisonNorth DakotaNorth Carolina
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, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodVaries by location
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 56Β°F88Β°F / 66Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)18Β°F / 0Β°F50Β°F / 30Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)17-2043-55
Annual Snowfall (Inches)38-454-8
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 6% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
  • North Carolina has higher 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 tornadoes in North Carolina.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 6 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
  • The average winter lows in North Carolina are 30 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 26 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and North Carolina

ComparisonNorth DakotaNorth Carolina
Avg. Household Income$71,970$67,481
Cost of Living Index95.395.85
State Income Tax2.905.25
Avg. Property Tax0.990.84
Avg. Sales Tax6.856.98
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Energy, ManufacturingTechnology, Aerospace, Finance
AffluenceComfortableModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessMinimalModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 6% less than in North Dakota
  • The COLI in North Carolina will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in North Dakota
  • The state income tax in NC is 5.25 compared to 2.90 in ND
  • The affluence in North Carolina is moderate compared to comfortable in North Dakota
  • The poverty level is moderate in North Carolina compared to low in North Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in North Dakota and moderate in North Carolina

Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. North Carolina

ComparisonNorth DakotaNorth Carolina
Political Make-upLean RepublicanSwing State
Local PoliticsConservative in rural areasMix of conservative & liberal in urban areas
ReligionLutheran & CatholicPrimarily Protestant
  • North Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
  • North Carolina's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant
  • North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Lutheran and Catholic

Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to North Carolina

ComparisonNorth DakotaNorth Carolina
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of North Dakota
North Dakota State University
Minot State University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina State University
Duke University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsFreedom Elementary - West Fargo
Lincoln Elementary - Dickinson
Centennial Elementary - Fargo
Parkwood Elementary - Durham
Glenwood Elementary - Chapel Hill
Thales Academy - Raleigh
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBen Franklin Middle School - Fargo
Horizon Middle School - Bismarck
Discovery Middle - Fargo
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School - Richmond
Raleigh Charter High School
Thales Academy - Rolesville
Top 3 High SchoolsCentury High School - Bismarck
Fargo North High - Fargo
Red River High - Grand Forks
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics - Durham
Raleigh Charter High School - Raleigh
Ardrey Kell High - Charlotte
Top 3 private high schoolsShanley High School - Fargo
Oak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo
Minot Christian School - Minot
Charlotte Latin School - Charlotte
Durham Academy - Durham
Providence Day School - Charlotte
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsOak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo
Shiloh Christian School - Bismarck
Dakota Adventist Academy - Bismarck
Cary Academy - Cary
Carolina Day School - Asheville
Charlotte Country Day School - Charlotte
Top 3 School DistrictsFargo Public Schools
Bismarck Public Schools
West Fargo Public Schools
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Wake County Public School System

How Much Do North Dakota to North Carolina Movers Cost?

Moving 1,665 miles from North Dakota to North Carolina 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 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,146300 ft3$7.15
1 Bedroom$3,197450 ft3$7.10
2 Bedrooms$5,291750 ft3$7.05
3 Bedrooms$7,7051100 ft3$7.00
4 Bedrooms$11,1281600 ft3$6.95
5+ Bedrooms$12,4291800 ft3$6.90

Top North Dakota to North Carolina Movers

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

TOP PICK
Just Move It, LLC featured image

Just Move It, LLC

Best moving company overall for North Dakota to North Carolina

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Illuminated Moving & Packing featured image

Illuminated Moving & Packing

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details