North Dakota to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

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
- Harsh winters
- Limited entertainment
- Remote locations
- Fewer job opportunities
- Bland landscapes
- Mild climate
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Proximity to beaches
- Growing job market
- Scenic views
- Higher expenses
- Noisy urban areas
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Traffic congestion
- Hurricane risk
- 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
Comparison | North Dakota | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Eastern NC Barbecue |
Most popular street food item | Knoephla Soup | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | BBQ Tofu |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 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
Comparison | North Dakota | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Colonial Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, energy efficiency | Nearby 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 Dakotaβs $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
Comparison | North Dakota | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Varies by location |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 56Β°F | 88Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 18Β°F / 0Β°F | 50Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17-20 | 43-55 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38-45 | 4-8 |
- 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
Comparison | North Dakota | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 2.90 | 5.25 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.99 | 0.84 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.85 | 6.98 |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing | Technology, Aerospace, Finance |
Affluence | Comfortable | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | North Dakota | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Swing State |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas | Mix of conservative & liberal in urban areas |
Religion | Lutheran & Catholic | Primarily 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
Comparison | North Dakota | North 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 Schools | Freedom Elementary - West Fargo Lincoln Elementary - Dickinson Centennial Elementary - Fargo | Parkwood Elementary - Durham Glenwood Elementary - Chapel Hill Thales Academy - Raleigh |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ben 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 Schools | Century 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 schools | Shanley 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 schools | Oak 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 Districts | Fargo 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,146 | 300 ft3 | $7.15 |
1 Bedroom | $3,197 | 450 ft3 | $7.10 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,291 | 750 ft3 | $7.05 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,705 | 1100 ft3 | $7.00 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,128 | 1600 ft3 | $6.95 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,429 | 1800 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.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to North Carolina