North Dakota to Utah Moving Guide
Updated June 24, 2025

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
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Remote areas
- Fewer cultural attractions
- Sparse population
- Milder winters
- Diversified economy
- Vibrant cities
- Rich in culture
- Dynamic communities
- Higher cost of living
- Urban traffic
- Potential isolation
- More expensive real estate
- Desert arid conditions
- 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
Comparison | North Dakota | Utah |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Fry sauce |
Most popular meat dish | Bison steak | Utah scones with honey butter |
Most popular street food item | Fleischkuekle | Navajo taco |
Most popular vegan food | Wild rice soup | Avocado toast |
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 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
Comparison | North Dakota | Utah |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Modern and Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious lots, Quiet neighborhoods | Views, 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 Dakotaβs $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
Comparison | North Dakota | Utah |
---|---|---|
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 | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 55Β°F | 90Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F / 2Β°F | 37Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17.8 | 12.2 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 46 | 56 |
- 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
Comparison | North Dakota | Utah |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $89,168 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 95.75 |
State Income Tax | 2.9 - 5.9 | 4.65 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.98 | 0.66 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.85 | 7.19 |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing | Technology, Finance, Health Services |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | North Dakota | Utah |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Focus on energy and agriculture | High emphasis on family and education |
Religion | Mixed, with a significant Lutheran population | Majority 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
Comparison | North Dakota | Utah |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Liberty 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 Schools | Ben 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 Schools | Central 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 schools | Shanley 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 schools | Oak 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 Districts | Fargo 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,790 | 300 ft3 | $5.97 |
1 Bedroom | $2,663 | 450 ft3 | $5.92 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,401 | 750 ft3 | $5.87 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,400 | 1100 ft3 | $5.82 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,229 | 1600 ft3 | $5.77 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,292 | 1800 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.

801 Moving Company
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Utah

Best of Utah Moving Company
