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North Dakota to Utah Moving Guide

Updated June 24, 2025

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Planning a 1,037 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Utah? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Utah across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Lefse vs Fry sauce), real estate & housing (ranch vs modern and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Utah), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Lefse and Bison steak, but get your taste buds ready for Fry sauce & Utah scones with honey butter
  • Utah housing costs are 105% more expensive than those in North Dakota
  • Rent in Utah is 65% more expensive than in North Dakota
  • Moving from North Dakota to Utah will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended North Dakota to Utah movers is 801 Moving Company

North Dakota to Utah Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Utah

ConsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job market
  • Remote areas
  • Fewer cultural attractions
  • Sparse population
ProsUtah iconUtah
  • Milder winters
  • Diversified economy
  • Vibrant cities
  • Rich in culture
  • Dynamic communities

Utah iconUtah
  • Higher cost of living
  • Urban traffic
  • Potential isolation
  • More expensive real estate
  • Desert arid conditions
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Low population density
  • Quiet living
  • Strong community bonds
  • Affordable housing
  • Natural beauty

Pros of moving from North Dakota to Utah

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Utah with a diversified economy
  • Swap the remote areas of North Dakota for vibrant cities in Utah
  • Get ready for a rich cultural experience in Utah

Cons of moving from North Dakota to Utah

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from low population density in North Dakota to live with a higher cost of living in Utah
  • You'll lose out on the pro of quiet living and have to settle with the con of urban traffic
  • Time to bid farewell to strong community bonds and get used to potential isolation in Utah
  • Swap affordable housing for more expensive real estate

North Dakota vs. Utah: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNorth DakotaUtah
Most iconic local food itemLefseFry sauce
Most popular meat dishBison steakUtah scones with honey butter
Most popular street food itemFleischkuekleNavajo taco
Most popular vegan foodWild rice soupAvocado toast
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pitmasters BarBQue
  • Kroll's Diner
  • Mezzaluna
  • Red Iguana
  • Log Haven
  • Salt Lake Pizza & Pasta
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 Utah, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Fry sauce of Utah. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison steak and sumptuous Fleischkuekle, Utah residents know they have tasty Utah scones with honey butter and Navajo taco to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild rice soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Avocado toast of Utah. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Pitmasters BarBQue, Kroll's Diner, and Mezzaluna. After the boxes are unpacked in Utah, don't wait too long before making your way to Utah's acclaimed eateries like Red Iguana, Log Haven, and Salt Lake Pizza and Pasta.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Utah

ComparisonNorth DakotaUtah
Typical Architecture StyleRanchModern and Ranch
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 lots, Quiet neighborhoodsViews, Eco-friendly features
  • The Ranch architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Ranch architecture typical of Utah.
  • Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious lots and quiet neighborhoods, Utah real estate listings often highlight features like views and eco-friendly features.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Utah is more walkable than North Dakota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Utah is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
  • Utah has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
  • Utah housing costs are 105% more expensive than those in North Dakota, with a median home price of $519,182 compared to North Dakota’s $253,395.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Utah have increased by 56% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
  • Rent in Utah is 65% more expensive than in North Dakota.

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

ComparisonNorth DakotaUtah
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, FloodsEarthquakes, Wildfires
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 55Β°F90Β°F / 62Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)24Β°F / 2Β°F37Β°F / 20Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)17.812.2
Annual Snowfall (Inches)4656
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to Utah. Utah gets 18% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
  • Utah 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 earthquakes and wildfires in Utah.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Utah is 8 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
  • The average winter lows in Utah are 18 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Utah. Utah receives 5.6 fewer inches of rain compared to North Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Utah

ComparisonNorth DakotaUtah
Avg. Household Income$71,970$89,168
Cost of Living Index95.395.75
State Income Tax2.9 - 5.94.65
Avg. Property Tax0.980.66
Avg. Sales Tax6.857.19
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Energy, ManufacturingTechnology, Finance, Health Services
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Utah tend to earn about 24% more than in North Dakota
  • The COLI in Utah is 0% higher than what you are used to living in North Dakota
  • The state income tax in UT is 4.65 compared to 2.9 to 5.9 in ND
  • The affluence in Utah is high compared to moderate affluence in North Dakota
  • The poverty level is moderate in Utah compared to low in North Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Dakota and moderate in Utah

Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Utah

ComparisonNorth DakotaUtah
Political Make-upPrimarily RepublicanStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsFocus on energy and agricultureHigh emphasis on family and education
ReligionMixed, with a significant Lutheran populationMajority Latter-day Saints (Mormon)
  • North Dakota tends to lean primarily Republican in its political climate
  • Utah, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
  • Utah's religious environment can be described as a majority of Latter-day Saints (Mormon)
  • North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a significant Lutheran population

Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Utah

ComparisonNorth DakotaUtah
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of North Dakota
North Dakota State University
Minot State University
University of Utah
Brigham Young University
Utah State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLiberty Elementary (Bismarck)
Freedom Elementary (West Fargo)
Centennial Elementary (Fargo)
Dilworth Elementary (Salt Lake City)
Wasatch Elementary (Provo)
Rosecrest Elementary (Salt Lake City)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBen Franklin Middle School (Fargo)
Horizon Middle School (Bismarck)
Discovery Middle School (Fargo)
Oquirrh Hills Middle School (Riverton)
Fort Herriman Middle School (Herriman)
Midvale Middle School (Midvale)
Top 3 High School SchoolsCentral High School (Grand Forks)
Century High School (Bismarck)
Davies High School (Fargo)
Timpview High School (Provo)
Lone Peak High School (Highland)
Skyline High School (Salt Lake City)
Top 3 private high schoolsShanley High School (Fargo)
Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
Bishop Ryan Catholic School (Minot)
Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
Waterford School (Sandy)
Juan Diego Catholic High School (Draper)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsOak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck)
Dakota Adventist Academy (Bismarck)
Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
Waterford School (Sandy)
Madeleine Choir School (Salt Lake City)
Top 3 School DistrictsFargo Public Schools
Bismarck Public Schools
Grand Forks Public Schools
Alpine School District
Davis School District
Jordan School District

How Much Do North Dakota to Utah Movers Cost?

Moving 1,037 miles from North Dakota to Utah will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 4-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: 801 Moving Company
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,790300 ft3$5.97
1 Bedroom$2,663450 ft3$5.92
2 Bedrooms$4,401750 ft3$5.87
3 Bedrooms$6,4001100 ft3$5.82
4 Bedrooms$9,2291600 ft3$5.77
5+ Bedrooms$10,2921800 ft3$5.72

Top North Dakota to Utah Movers

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

TOP PICK
801 Moving Company featured image

801 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Utah

9.42/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Best of Utah Moving Company featured image

Best of Utah Moving Company

9.34/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

9.30/10
Exceptional
Top North Dakota to Utah Routes

Fargo to Utah