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North Dakota to Tennessee Moving Guide

Updated June 22, 2025

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Planning a 1,408 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Tennessee? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Tennessee across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like frigid winters vs mild climate), food & health (like Lefse vs BBQ Ribs), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial, 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 BBQ Ribs & Hot Chicken
  • Tennessee housing costs are 25% more expensive than they are in North Dakota
  • Rent in Tennessee is 64.71% more expensive than in North Dakota
  • Moving from North Dakota to Tennessee will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended North Dakota to Tennessee movers is Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

North Dakota to Tennessee Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Tennessee

ConsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Frigid winters
  • Remote location
  • Limited entertainment
  • Sparse population
ProsTennessee iconTennessee
  • Mild climate
  • Proximity to cities
  • Vibrant music scene
  • Bustling communities

Tennessee iconTennessee
  • Higher crime rate
  • Less open land
  • Costlier lifestyle
  • Adjustment to new environment
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Low crime rate
  • Open spaces
  • Affordable living
  • Familiar community

Pros of moving from North Dakota to Tennessee

  • Say goodbye to frigid winters and hello to a mild climate
  • Look forward to moving away from a remote location and moving to Tennessee with proximity to cities
  • Swap the limited entertainment of North Dakota for a vibrant music scene in Tennessee
  • Get ready for bustling communities in Tennessee

Cons of moving from North Dakota to Tennessee

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low crime rate in North Dakota to live with a higher crime rate in Tennessee
  • You'll lose out on the pro of open spaces and have to settle for the con of less open land
  • Time to bid farewell to affordable living and get used to a costlier lifestyle in Tennessee
  • Swap a familiar community for an adjustment to a new environment

North Dakota vs. Tennessee: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNorth DakotaTennessee
Most iconic local food itemLefseBBQ Ribs
Most popular meat dishBison SteakHot Chicken
Most popular street food itemKnoephla SoupPulled Pork Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice BurgerBBQ Jackfruit
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Central BBQ
  • Prince's Hot Chicken
  • Husk
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from North Dakota to Tennessee, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious BBQ Ribs of Tennessee. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak & sumptuous Knoephla Soup, Tennessee residents know they have tasty Hot Chicken and Pulled Pork Sandwiches 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 Jackfruit of Tennessee. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Pitchfork Fondue, Kroll's Diner, and The Hoist Pizza. After the boxes are unpacked in Tennessee, don't wait too long before making your way to Tennessee's acclaimed eateries like Central BBQ, Prince's Hot Chicken, and Husk.

When comparing lifestyles, Tennessee shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Tennessee compared to what you are used to in North Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Tennessee.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Tennessee

ComparisonNorth DakotaTennessee
Typical Architecture StyleRanchColonial, Craftsman
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, PrivacyProximity to amenities, Historical features
  • The Ranch architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Tennessee.
  • Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and privacy, Tennessee real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities and historical features.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Tennessee is more walkable than North Dakota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Tennessee is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
  • Tennessee has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
  • Tennessee housing costs are 25% more expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $317,482 compared to North Dakota’s $253,395.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Tennessee have increased by 63% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
  • Rent in Tennessee is 64.71% more expensive than in North Dakota.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and Tennessee

ComparisonNorth DakotaTennessee
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersBlizzards, FloodsTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 57Β°F89Β°F / 68Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)23Β°F / 2Β°F49Β°F / 30Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)17-25"50-60"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)38"5-12"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to Tennessee. Tennessee gets 3% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
  • Tennessee has similar 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 floods in Tennessee.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Tennessee is 7 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
  • The average winter lows are 28 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Tennessee. Tennessee receives 33 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Tennessee

ComparisonNorth DakotaTennessee
Avg. Household Income$71,970$65,254
Cost of Living Index95.388.9
State Income Tax2.9%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.0%0.7%
Avg. Sales Tax6.85%7%
Top 3 IndustriesEnergy, Agriculture, ManufacturingHealthcare, Entertainment, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateAverage
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessMinimalNoticeable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Tennessee tend to earn about 9% less than in North Dakota
  • The COLI in Tennessee will be 7% lower than what you are used to living in North Dakota
  • Hooray, moving to TN means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Tennessee is average compared to moderate in North Dakota
  • The poverty level is moderate in Tennessee compared to low in North Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in North Dakota and noticeable in Tennessee

Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Tennessee

ComparisonNorth DakotaTennessee
Political Make-upRepublican-leaningRepublican-leaning
Local PoliticsConservation and energy importantBusiness development and education emphasis
ReligionLargely Christian with Protestant majorityStrongly Christian; Protestant majority, including Baptists
  • North Dakota tends to lean Republican-leaning in its political climate
  • Tennessee, on the other hand, is often described as Republican-leaning
  • Tennessee's religious environment can be described as strongly Christian with a Protestant majority, including Baptists
  • North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian with a Protestant majority

Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Tennessee

ComparisonNorth DakotaTennessee
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)North Dakota State University
University of North Dakota
Minot State University
University of Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Tennessee Technological University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsFreedom Elementary (West Fargo)
Liberty Elementary (Bismarck)
Roosevelt Elementary (Mandan)
Lipscomb Elementary (Brentwood)
Percy Priest Elementary (Nashville)
Clovercroft Elementary (Franklin)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBen Franklin Middle School (Fargo)
Horizon Middle School (Bismarck)
Discovery Middle School (Fargo)
Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood)
Page Middle School (Franklin)
MTCS Middle School (Murfreesboro)
Top 3 High School SchoolsCentury High School (Bismarck)
Fargo North High School (Fargo)
Red River High School (Grand Forks)
Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School (Nashville)
Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro)
Brentwood High School (Brentwood)
Top 3 private high schoolsShanley High School (Fargo)
Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
Trinity Christian School (Williston)
Baylor School (Chattanooga)
McCallie School (Chattanooga)
Brentwood Academy (Brentwood)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsOak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
Trinity Christian School (Williston)
Grace Christian School (Fargo)
Ensworth School (Nashville)
Baylor School (Chattanooga)
University School of Nashville (Nashville)
Top 3 School DistrictsFargo Public Schools
Bismarck Public Schools
West Fargo Public Schools
Williamson County Schools
Maryville City Schools
Oak Ridge School District

How Much Do North Dakota to Tennessee Movers Cost?

Moving 1,408 miles from North Dakota to Tennessee 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 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,001300 ft3$6.67
1 Bedroom$2,979450 ft3$6.62
2 Bedrooms$4,927750 ft3$6.57
3 Bedrooms$7,1711100 ft3$6.52
4 Bedrooms$10,3501600 ft3$6.47
5+ Bedrooms$11,5541800 ft3$6.42

Top North Dakota to Tennessee Movers

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

TOP PICK
Alpha Moving & Storage LLC featured image

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Tennessee

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Boundless Moving & Storage featured image

Boundless Moving & Storage

9.33/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details