North Dakota to New York Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 1,679 mile interstate move from North Dakota to New York? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs New York across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Lefse vs Bagels), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman vs colonial, modern high-rises), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lefse and Bison Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Bagels & Pastrami on Rye
- New York housing costs are 82% more expensive than they are in North Dakota
- Rent in New York is 144.81% more expensive than in North Dakota
- Moving from North Dakota to New York will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended North Dakota to New York movers is JP Urban Moving
North Dakota to New York Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to New York
- Harsh winters
- Limited nightlife
- Fewer career opportunities
- Rural isolation
- Scarce public transportation
- Milder climate
- Vibrant social scene
- Diverse job market
- Urban convenience
- Extensive transit systems
- Higher living expenses
- More anonymity
- Hustle and bustle
- Limited green spaces
- Traffic issues
- Low cost of living
- Close-knit community
- Tranquil surroundings
- Ample open spaces
- Less congestion
Pros of moving from North Dakota to New York
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited nightlife and moving to New York with a vibrant social scene
- Swap the fewer career opportunities of North Dakota for a diverse job market in New York
- Get ready for urban convenience in New York
Cons of moving from North Dakota to New York
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in North Dakota to live with higher living expenses in New York
- You'll lose out on the pro of a close-knit community and have to settle with the con of more anonymity
- Time to bid farewell to tranquil surroundings and get used to the hustle and bustle in New York
- Swap ample open spaces for limited green spaces
North Dakota vs. New York: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Dakota | New York |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Bagels |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Steak | Pastrami on Rye |
Most popular street food item | Knoephla Soup | Hot Dogs (from carts) |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Seitan Sandwich |
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 New York, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Bagels of New York. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Knoephla Soup, New York residents know they have tasty Pastrami on Rye and Hot Dogs (from carts) 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 Seitan Sandwich of New York. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Kroll's Diner, Broadway Grill and Tavern, and Meats by John and Wayne. After the boxes are unpacked in New York, don't wait too long before making your way to New York's acclaimed eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Di Fara Pizza, and Balthazar.
When comparing lifestyles, New York shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New York compared to what you are used to in North Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New York.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and New York
Comparison | North Dakota | New York |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Craftsman | Colonial, Modern high-rises |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious lots, Tranquility | Proximity to amenities, Luxury finishes |
- The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Modern high-rise architecture typical of New York.
- Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious lots and tranquility, New York real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities and luxury finishes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New York is more walkable than North Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New York is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
- New York has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
- New York housing costs are 82% more expensive than they are in North Dakota with a median home price of $460,812 compared to North Dakotaβs $253,395.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New York have increased 36% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
- Rent in New York is 144.81% more expensive than in North Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and New York
Comparison | North Dakota | New York |
---|---|---|
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, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 55Β°F | 85Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 23Β°F / 2Β°F | 39Β°F / 26Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 46 | 60 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to New York. New York gets 11% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
- New York 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 blizzards in New York.
- The average summer high temperature in New York is 3 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
- The average winter lows in New York are 24 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in New York as it receives 25 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and New York
Comparison | North Dakota | New York |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $79,557 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 102.8 |
State Income Tax | 2.90% | 6.85% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.00% | 1.72% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.85% | 8.52% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing | Finance, Healthcare, Education |
Affluence | Average | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Challenging |
Homelessness | Minimal | Significant |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New York tend to earn about 11% more than those in North Dakota
- The COLI in New York will be 8% higher than what you are used to living in North Dakota
- The state income tax in NY is 6.85% compared to 2.90% in ND
- The affluence in New York is high compared to the average in North Dakota
- The poverty level is challenging in New York compared to moderate in North Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in North Dakota and significant in New York
Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. New York
Comparison | North Dakota | New York |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican-dominated state legislature | Democratic-dominated state legislature |
Religion | Primarily Christian, Evangelical Protestant | Diverse, including Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim communities |
- North Dakota tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- New York, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
- New York's religious environment can be described as diverse, including Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim communities
- North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian and Evangelical Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to New York
Comparison | North Dakota | New York |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University | New York University Columbia University Cornell University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Hawthorne Elementary (Fargo) Freedom Elementary (West Fargo) Lincoln Elementary (Dickinson) | PS 77 Lower Lab School (New York) Success Academy Charter School-Bronx 1 PS 334 The Anderson School (New York) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Bismarck's Horizon Middle School Cheney Middle School (West Fargo) Discovery Middle School (Fargo) | Jericho Middle School (Jericho) East Hills School (East Hills) Rye Neck Middle School (Mamaroneck) |
Top 3 High Schools | Century High School (Bismarck) Fargo North High School (Fargo) Red River High School (Grand Forks) | Stuyvesant High School (New York) Bronx High School of Science (Bronx) Brooklyn Technical High School (Brooklyn) |
Top 3 private high schools | Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Fargo Shanley High School (Fargo) | Horace Mann School (Bronx) Trinity School (New York) Collegiate School (New York) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Youth Educational Services (Bismarck) Dakota Montessori School (Fargo) Elgin/New Leipzig Public School (Elgin) | Riverdale Country School (Bronx) The Brearley School (New York) Dalton School (New York) |
Top 3 School Districts | West Fargo Public Schools Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools | Great Neck Public Schools Jericho Union Free School District Scarsdale Union Free School District |
How Much Do North Dakota to New York Movers Cost?
Moving 1,679 miles from North Dakota to New York 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: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,154 | 300 ft3 | $7.18 |
1 Bedroom | $3,209 | 450 ft3 | $7.13 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,311 | 750 ft3 | $7.08 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,734 | 1100 ft3 | $7.03 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,170 | 1600 ft3 | $6.98 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,476 | 1800 ft3 | $6.93 |
Top North Dakota to New York Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Dakota to New York movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

JP Urban Moving
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to New York