North Dakota to Oklahoma Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 1,152 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Oklahoma? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Oklahoma across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe winters vs milder weather), food & health (like Lefse vs Chicken Fried Steak), real estate & housing (ranch and modern farmhouse vs traditional and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lefse and Bison Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Chicken Fried Steak & Barbecue Brisket
- Oklahoma housing costs are 20% less expensive than they are in North Dakota
- Rent in Oklahoma is 24.42% more expensive than in North Dakota
- Moving from North Dakota to Oklahoma will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended North Dakota to Oklahoma movers is Two Men and a Truck
North Dakota to Oklahoma Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Oklahoma
- Severe winters
- Isolated towns
- Limited job market
- Less cultural diversity
- Higher cost of heating
- Milder weather
- More urban areas
- Diverse employment opportunities
- Rich cultural experiences
- Lower utility costs
- Lack of mountains
- Higher crime rates
- More transient population
- Heavier traffic in cities
- Urban sprawl
- Natural beauty
- Low crime rates
- Friendly communities
- Low traffic congestion
- Cozy small towns
Pros of moving from North Dakota to Oklahoma
- Say goodbye to severe winters and hello to milder weather
- Look forward to moving away from isolated towns and moving to Oklahoma with more urban areas
- Swap the limited job market of North Dakota for diverse employment opportunities in Oklahoma
- Get ready for rich cultural experiences in Oklahoma
Cons of moving from North Dakota to Oklahoma
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from natural beauty in North Dakota to live with a lack of mountains in Oklahoma
- You'll lose out on the pro of low crime rates and have to settle for the con of higher crime rates
- Time to bid farewell to friendly communities and get used to a more transient population in Oklahoma
- Swap low traffic congestion for heavier traffic in cities
North Dakota vs. Oklahoma: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Dakota | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Chicken Fried Steak |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Steak | Barbecue Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Knoephla Soup | Fried Okra |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Dish | Vegan BBQ |
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 Oklahoma, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Chicken Fried Steak of Oklahoma. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Knoephla Soup, Oklahoma residents know they have tasty Barbecue Brisket and Fried Okra to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Dish they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan BBQ of Oklahoma. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Kroll's Diner, Pitchfork Steak Fondue, and Theodore's Dining Room. After the boxes are unpacked in Oklahoma, don't wait too long before making your way to Oklahoma's acclaimed eateries like Cattlemen's Steakhouse, Eischen's Bar, and Joe's BBQ.
When comparing lifestyles, Oklahoma shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oklahoma compared to what you are used to in North Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oklahoma.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Oklahoma
Comparison | North Dakota | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch and Modern Farmhouse | Traditional and Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, double garages | Energy efficiency, storm shelters |
- The Ranch and Modern Farmhouse architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Traditional and Craftsman architecture typical of Oklahoma.
- Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and double garages, Oklahoma real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and storm shelters.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Oklahoma is more walkable than North Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Oklahoma is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
- Oklahoma has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
- Oklahoma housing costs are 20% less expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $203,455 compared to North Dakotaβs $253,395.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oklahoma have increased by 50% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
- Rent in Oklahoma is 24.42% more expensive than in North Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and Oklahoma
Comparison | North Dakota | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
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, Hailstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Varies (Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 55Β°F | 94Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 18Β°F / 0Β°F | 50Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17" | 36" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 49" | 10" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to Oklahoma. Oklahoma gets 14% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
- Oklahoma 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 hailstorms in Oklahoma.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Oklahoma is 12 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 30 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Oklahoma. Oklahoma receives 19 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Oklahoma
Comparison | North Dakota | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $59,673 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 90.1 |
State Income Tax | 2.9% - 5.75% | 0.5% - 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.98% | 0.87% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.85% | 8.95% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Agriculture, Technology | Agriculture, Energy, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Low | Medium |
Homelessness | Minimal | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oklahoma tend to earn about 17% less than in North Dakota
- The COLI in Oklahoma is 5% lower than what you are used to living in North Dakota
- The state income tax in OK is 0.5% - 5% compared to 2.9% - 5.75% in ND
- The affluence in Oklahoma is varied compared to moderate in North Dakota
- The poverty level is medium in Oklahoma compared to low in North Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in North Dakota and moderate in Oklahoma
Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Oklahoma
Comparison | North Dakota | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Largely Republican | Primarily Republican |
Local Politics | Moderate on some social issues | Very conservative, particulary in rural areas |
Religion | Christianity dominant, with a significant Lutheran population | High percentage of Evangelical Protestants |
- North Dakota tends to lean largely Republican in its political climate
- Oklahoma, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Republican
- Oklahoma's religious environment can be described as having a high percentage of Evangelical Protestants
- North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant with a significant Lutheran population
Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Oklahoma
Comparison | North Dakota | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University | University of Oklahoma Oklahoma State University University of Tulsa |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Freedom Elementary (West Fargo) Longfellow Elementary (Fargo) Legacy Elementary (West Fargo) | Lincoln Elementary (Norman) Russell Dougherty Elementary (Edmond) Wayland Bonds Elementary (Oklahoma City) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ben Franklin Middle School (Fargo) Cheney Middle School (West Fargo) Discovery Middle School (Fargo) | Whittier Middle School (Norman) Sequoyah Middle School (Edmond) Central Middle School (Edmond) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Fargo North High School (Fargo) Century High School (Bismarck) Davies High School (Fargo) | Edmond North High School (Edmond) Norman High School (Norman) Jenks High School (Jenks) |
Top 3 private high schools | Shanley High School (Fargo) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Light of Christ Academy (Bismarck) | Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City) Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School (Oklahoma City) Holland Hall (Tulsa) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Dakota Adventist Academy (Bismarck) | Holland Hall (Tulsa) Oklahoma Bible Academy (Enid) Cascia Hall Preparatory School (Tulsa) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fargo Public Schools West Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools | Edmond Public Schools Norman Public Schools Jenks Public Schools |
How Much Do North Dakota to Oklahoma Movers Cost?
Moving 1,152 miles from North Dakota to Oklahoma will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Serenity Moving Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,856 | 300 ft3 | $6.19 |
1 Bedroom | $2,761 | 450 ft3 | $6.14 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,564 | 750 ft3 | $6.09 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,639 | 1100 ft3 | $6.04 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,576 | 1600 ft3 | $5.99 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,683 | 1800 ft3 | $5.94 |
Top North Dakota to Oklahoma Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Dakota to Oklahoma movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Two Men and a Truck
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Oklahoma