North Dakota to Oregon Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 1,338 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Oregon? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Oregon across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Lefse vs Marionberry Pie), real estate & housing (ranch, split-level vs craftsman, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oregon), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lefse and Bison Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Marionberry Pie & Dungeness Crab
- Oregon housing costs are 97% more expensive than they are in North Dakota
- Rent in Oregon is 72.98% more expensive than in North Dakota
- Moving from North Dakota to Oregon will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended North Dakota to Oregon movers is Pacific Northwest Moving
North Dakota to Oregon Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Oregon
- Harsh winters
- Limited job opportunities
- Sparse population
- Landlocked state
- Milder climate
- Diverse economy
- Vibrant communities
- Ocean access
- Higher living costs
- Earthquake risk
- Traffic congestion
- Dense urban areas
- Lower cost of living
- Fewer natural disasters
- Close community ties
- Wide open spaces
Pros of moving from North Dakota to Oregon
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Oregon with a diverse economy
- Swap the sparse population of North Dakota for vibrant communities in Oregon
- Get ready for ocean access in Oregon
Cons of moving from North Dakota to Oregon
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in North Dakota to live with higher living costs in Oregon
- You'll lose out on the pro of fewer natural disasters and have to settle for the con of earthquake risk
- Time to bid farewell to close community ties and get used to traffic congestion in Oregon
- Swap wide open spaces for dense urban areas
North Dakota vs. Oregon: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Dakota | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Marionberry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Steak | Dungeness Crab |
Most popular street food item | Fry Bread Tacos | Food Truck Pod Offerings |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Tempeh Reuben |
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 Oregon, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Marionberry Pie of Oregon. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Fry Bread Tacos, Oregon residents know they have tasty Dungeness Crab and Food Truck Pod Offerings 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 Tempeh Reuben of Oregon. 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 The Sawmill. After the boxes are unpacked in Oregon, don't wait too long before making your way to Oregon's acclaimed eateries like Pok Pok, Le Pigeon, and Salt & Straw.
When comparing lifestyles, Oregon shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oregon compared to what you are used to in North Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oregon.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Oregon
Comparison | North Dakota | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Split-level | Craftsman, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, quiet neighborhoods | Eco-friendly features, proximity to nature |
- The Ranch and Split-level architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Modern architecture typical of Oregon.
- Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, Oregon real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly elements and proximity to nature.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Oregon is more walkable than North Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Oregon is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
- Oregon has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
- Oregon housing costs are 97% more expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $497,946 compared to North Dakotaβs $253,395.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oregon have increased by 39% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
- Rent in Oregon is 72.98% more expensive than in North Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and Oregon
Comparison | North Dakota | Oregon |
---|---|---|
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 | Earthquakes, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 57Β°F | 81Β°F / 53Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 18Β°F / 0Β°F | 47Β°F / 34Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17 | 40 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 46 | 8 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Dakota to Oregon. Oregon gets 28% fewer sunshine days than North Dakota.
- Oregon has higher humidity and a similar 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 earthquakes and wildfires in Oregon.
- The average summer high temperature in Oregon is 1 degree colder than in North Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 34 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Oregon. Oregon receives 23 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Oregon
Comparison | North Dakota | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $75,657 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 110.55 |
State Income Tax | 2.9% | 9.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.0% | 1.1% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Energy, Retail | Technology, Forestry, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oregon tend to earn about 5% more than in North Dakota
- The COLI in Oregon will be 16% higher than what you are used to living in North Dakota
- The state income tax in OR is 9.9% compared to 2.9% in ND
- The affluence in Oregon is high compared to moderate in North Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in Oregon compared to low in North Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Dakota and high in Oregon
Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Oregon
Comparison | North Dakota | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservatively inclined | Progressively inclined |
Local Politics | Republican-dominant | Democratic/progressive-dominant |
Religion | Largely Christian North Dakota Council of Churches | Mixed, with a higher percentage of unaffiliated Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon |
- North Dakota tends to lean conservatively inclined in its political climate
- Oregon, on the other hand, is often described as progressively inclined
- Oregon's religious environment can be described as mixed with a higher percentage of unaffiliated Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
- North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian according to the North Dakota Council of Churches
Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Oregon
Comparison | North Dakota | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of North Dakota North Dakota State University Minot State University | University of Oregon Oregon State University Portland State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Freedman Elementary School Bismarck; Roosevelt Elementary Dickinson; Lincoln Elementary Jamestown | Ainsworth Elementary Portland; Findley Elementary Beaverton; Jacob Wismer Elementary Portland |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Simle Middle School Bismarck; Ben Franklin Middle School Fargo; Wachter Middle School Bismarck | Stoller Middle School Portland; Lake Oswego Junior High Lake Oswego; Timber Ridge School Albany |
Top 3 High Schools | Century High School Bismarck; Fargo North High School Fargo; Grand Forks Central High Grand Forks | Corvallis High School Corvallis; South Eugene High School Eugene; Lake Oswego High School Lake Oswego |
Top 3 private high schools | Shanley High School Fargo; Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo; Light of Christ Catholic Schools Bismarck | Catlin Gabel School Portland; OES Portland; St. Mary's Academy Portland |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Light of Christ Catholic Schools Bismarck; Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo; Shiloh Christian School Bismarck | Catlin Gabel School Portland; Oregon Episcopal School Portland; Delphian School Sheridan |
Top 3 School Districts | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools Grand Forks Public Schools | Lake Oswego School District Corvallis School District Portland Public Schools |
How Much Do North Dakota to Oregon Movers Cost?
Moving 1,338 miles from North Dakota to Oregon will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Portland Movers Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,961 | 300 ft3 | $6.54 |
1 Bedroom | $2,919 | 450 ft3 | $6.49 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,828 | 750 ft3 | $6.44 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,025 | 1100 ft3 | $6.39 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,139 | 1600 ft3 | $6.34 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,316 | 1800 ft3 | $6.29 |
Top North Dakota to Oregon Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Dakota to Oregon movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pacific Northwest Moving
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Oregon