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North Dakota to Washington Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 1,196 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Washington? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Washington across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Lefse vs Salmon), real estate & housing (ranch vs modern and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Lefse and Buffalo steak, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Seafood (Salmon, Crab)
  • Washington housing costs are 133% more expensive than they are in North Dakota
  • Rent in Washington is 93.17% more expensive than in North Dakota
  • Moving from North Dakota to Washington will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended North Dakota to Washington movers is Seattle Moves & More

North Dakota to Washington Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Washington

ConsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job market
  • Flat landscapes
  • Rural isolation
  • Fewer cultural amenities
ProsWashington iconWashington
  • Mild winters
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Scenic mountains
  • Vibrant urban life
  • Rich cultural scene

Washington iconWashington
  • Higher cost of living
  • Less personal interaction
  • Dense urban areas
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Low cost of living
  • Friendly communities
  • Spacious living
  • Unique small-town charm

Pros of moving from North Dakota to Washington

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
  • Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Washington with diverse job opportunities
  • Swap the flat landscapes of North Dakota for scenic mountains in Washington
  • Get ready for vibrant urban life in Washington

Cons of moving from North Dakota to Washington

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in North Dakota to live with a higher cost of living in Washington
  • You'll lose out on the pro of friendly communities and have to settle with the con of less personal interaction
  • Time to bid farewell to spacious living and get used to dense urban areas in Washington
  • Swap unique small-town charm for a fast-paced lifestyle

North Dakota vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNorth DakotaWashington
Most iconic local food itemLefseSalmon
Most popular meat dishBuffalo steakSeafood (Salmon, Crab)
Most popular street food itemFried WalleyeFish Tacos
Most popular vegan foodKnoephla soup (vegan version)Apple-based dishes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Kroll's Diner
  • Pirogue Grille
  • Blarney Stone Pub
  • Pike Place Chowder
  • Canlis
  • Salumi
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 Washington, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Salmon of Washington. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Buffalo steak and sumptuous Fried Walleye, Washington residents know they have tasty Seafood (Salmon, Crab) and Fish Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Knoephla soup (vegan version) they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Apple-based dishes of Washington. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Kroll's Diner, Pirogue Grille, and Blarney Stone Pub. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Pike Place Chowder, Canlis, and Salumi.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Washington

ComparisonNorth DakotaWashington
Typical Architecture StyleRanchModern and 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 backyards, garagesEco-friendly features, views
  • The Ranch architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Craftsman architecture typical of Washington.
  • Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and garages, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly amenities and views.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Washington is more walkable than North Dakota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Washington is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
  • Washington has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
  • Washington housing costs are 133% more expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to North Dakota’s $253,395.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
  • Rent in Washington is 93.17% more expensive than in North Dakota.

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

ComparisonNorth DakotaWashington
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, Volcanoes
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F/55Β°F74Β°F/55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)24Β°F/2Β°F47Β°F/36Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)17.8"38.4"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)46"200" (in mountain areas)
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Dakota to Washington. Washington gets 24% fewer sunshine days than North Dakota.
  • Washington has higher humidity and a lower 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 volcanoes in Washington.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Washington is 8 degrees 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 Washington. Washington receives 20.6 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Washington

ComparisonNorth DakotaWashington
Avg. Household Income$71,970$91,306
Cost of Living Index95.3104.1
State Income Tax1.41 to 2.900
Avg. Property Tax1.050.92
Avg. Sales Tax6.858.88
Top 3 IndustriesEnergy, Agriculture, ManufacturingTech, Aerospace, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessRareCommon
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington tend to earn about 27% more than those in North Dakota
  • The COLI in Washington is 9% higher than what you are used to living in North Dakota
  • Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Washington is high compared to moderate affluence in North Dakota
  • The poverty level is moderate in Washington compared to low poverty level in North Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is rare in North Dakota and common in Washington

Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Washington

ComparisonNorth DakotaWashington
Political Make-upConservativeLiberal
Local PoliticsRepublican-dominatedDemocrat-dominated
ReligionChristian majorityMixed, less religious overall
  • North Dakota tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • Washington, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
  • Washington's religious environment can be described as mixed and less religious overall
  • North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority

Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Washington

ComparisonNorth DakotaWashington
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of North Dakota
North Dakota State University
Minot State University
University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Washington University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsHawthorne Elementary (Fargo)
Freedom Elementary (West Fargo)
Lincoln Elementary (Bismarck)
Cascadia Elementary (Seattle)
Challenge Elementary (Bellevue)
Discovery Elementary (Gig Harbor)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBen Franklin Middle School (Fargo)
Horizon Middle School (Bismarck)
Wachter Middle School (Bismarck)
International School (Bellevue)
Odle Middle School (Bellevue)
Washington Middle School (Olympia)
Top 3 High SchoolsFargo North High School (Fargo)
Century High School (Bismarck)
Grand Forks Central High School (Grand Forks)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
Newport High School (Bellevue)
Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)
Top 3 private high schoolsOak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck)
Dakota Adventist Academy (Bismarck)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)
The Overlake School (Redmond)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsOak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo)
Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck)
Dakota Adventist Academy (Bismarck)
The Bush School (Seattle)
The Bear Creek School (Redmond)
The Overlake School (Redmond)
Top 3 School DistrictsFargo Public Schools
Bismarck Public Schools
Grand Forks Public Schools
Lake Washington School District
Bellevue School District
Olympia School District

How Much Do North Dakota to Washington Movers Cost?

Moving 1,196 miles from North Dakota to Washington will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,881300 ft3$6.27
1 Bedroom$2,798450 ft3$6.22
2 Bedrooms$4,626750 ft3$6.17
3 Bedrooms$6,7301100 ft3$6.12
4 Bedrooms$9,7091600 ft3$6.07
5+ Bedrooms$10,8331800 ft3$6.02

Top North Dakota to Washington Movers

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

TOP PICK
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Washington

9.55/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
John Volken Academy Movers featured image

John Volken Academy Movers

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

Two Men and a Truck

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details
Top North Dakota to Washington Routes

Fargo to Washington