North Dakota to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a 1,479 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like brutal winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Lefse vs Philly Cheesesteak), real estate & housing (ranch and craftsman vs colonial and victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lefse and Bison Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Philly Cheesesteak & Pittsburgh-style steak
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 3% more expensive than those in North Dakota
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 45.38% more expensive than in North Dakota
- Moving from North Dakota to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended North Dakota to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving

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

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Pennsylvania

Keystone Moving & Junk Removal, LLC

Two Men and a Truck
North Dakota to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Pennsylvania
- Brutal winters
- Rural isolation
- Slower pace
- Limited job options
- Few healthcare facilities
- Milder climate
- Urban opportunities
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Diverse economy
- Better medical access
- Higher living expenses
- Hustle and bustle
- Less green areas
- Less personal ties
- Traffic congestion
- Lower cost of living
- Quiet environment
- Open spaces
- Community feel
- Low traffic
Pros of moving from North Dakota to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to brutal winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from rural isolation and moving to Pennsylvania with urban opportunities
- Swap the slower pace of North Dakota for a vibrant cultural scene in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for a diverse economy in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from North Dakota to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in North Dakota to live with higher living expenses in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of a quiet environment and have to settle with the con of hustle and bustle
- Time to bid farewell to open spaces and get used to less green areas in Pennsylvania
- Swap a community feel for less personal ties
North Dakota vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Dakota | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Philly Cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Steak | Pittsburgh-style steak |
Most popular street food item | Fry Bread Tacos | Pretzels |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Mushroom Cheesesteak |
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 Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Fry Bread Tacos, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pittsburgh-style steak and Pretzels 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 Mushroom Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. 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 HoDo Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Pat's King of Steaks, Primanti Bros., and Reading Terminal Market.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania compared to what you are used to in North Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Pennsylvania
Comparison | North Dakota | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch and Craftsman | Colonial and Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, quiet neighborhoods | Historic features, proximity to amenities |
- The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like historic elements and proximity to amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Pennsylvania is more walkable than North Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Pennsylvania is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 3% more expensive than those in North Dakota, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to North Dakotaβs $253,395.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 43% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 45.38% more expensive than in North Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and Pennsylvania
Comparison | North Dakota | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | 201 days | 179 days |
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 | Floods, Blizzards | Floods, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 55Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 18Β°F / 0Β°F | 39Β°F / 21Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17 inches | 42 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51 inches | 38 inches |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Dakota to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 11% fewer sunshine days than North Dakota.
- Pennsylvania has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to North Dakota.
- Say goodbye to the possible floods and blizzards in North Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential floods and hurricanes in Pennsylvania.
- The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is 3 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
- The average winter lows in Pennsylvania are 21 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 25 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Pennsylvania
Comparison | North Dakota | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 0-2.5% | 3.07% (flat) |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.98% | 1.58% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.85% | 6.34% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil & Gas, Agriculture, Manufacturing | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Finance & Insurance |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Very low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 0% less than in North Dakota
- The COLI in Pennsylvania is 5% higher than what you are used to living in North Dakota
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07% (flat) compared to 0-2.5% in ND
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is moderate compared to moderate in North Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in Pennsylvania compared to low in North Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is very low in North Dakota and moderate in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | North Dakota | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Moderate, leaning Democrat |
Local Politics | Rural interests dominate | Urban and rural interests balanced |
Religion | Christianity (Protestant) | Christianity (Catholic and Protestant) |
- North Dakota tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as moderate, leaning Democrat
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as Christianity (Catholic and Protestant)
- North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity (Protestant)
How Much Do North Dakota to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 1,479 miles from North Dakota to Pennsylvania 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: 1-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,041 | 300 ft3 | $6.80 |
1 Bedroom | $3,039 | 450 ft3 | $6.75 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,027 | 750 ft3 | $6.70 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,319 | 1100 ft3 | $6.65 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,565 | 1600 ft3 | $6.60 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,796 | 1800 ft3 | $6.55 |