New Jersey to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

Planning a 1,683 mile interstate move from New Jersey to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing costs), food & health (like Pork Roll / Taylor Ham vs Fleischkuekle), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Roll / Taylor Ham and Italian Hot Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Fleischkuekle & Bison steak
- North Dakota housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in North Dakota is 58.37% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended New Jersey to North Dakota movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to North Dakota
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic congestion
- Overcrowded cities
- Harsh winters
- Higher taxes
- Affordable housing costs
- Less congested roads
- More open space
- Less humid summers
- Lower overall taxes
- Fewer cultural events
- Fewer urban areas
- Limited historical sites
- No nearby beaches
- Limited cuisine choices
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Access to major cities
- Rich historical landmarks
- Beach proximity
- Diverse dining options
Pros of moving from New Jersey to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing costs
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to north dakota with less congested roads
- Swap the overcrowded cities of new jersey for more open space in north dakota
- Get ready for less humid summers in north dakota
Cons of moving from New Jersey to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant cultural scene in new jersey to live with fewer cultural events in north dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of access to major cities and have to settle for the con of fewer urban areas
- Time to bid farewell to rich historical landmarks and get used to limited historical sites in north dakota
- Swap beach proximity for no nearby beaches
New Jersey vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Roll / Taylor Ham | Fleischkuekle |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dog | Bison steak |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular vegan food | Jersey Fresh Tomatoes Salad | Lentil dishes |
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 New Jersey to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Pork Roll / Taylor Ham of New Jersey for the equally delicious Fleischkuekle of North Dakota. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dog and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison steak and Knoephla Soup to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jersey Fresh Tomatoes Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil dishes of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like Razza Pizza Artigianale, Donβs Original, and White House Subs. After the boxes are unpacked in North Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to North Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Doolittles Woodfire Grill, Theodoreβs Dining Room, and Kroll's Diner.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota, compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and North Dakota
Comparison | New Jersey | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Ranch, Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, Beaches | Quiet Neighborhoods, Nature |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and beaches, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like quiet neighborhoods and nature.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. North Dakota is less walkable than New Jersey.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. North Dakota is less bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- North Dakota has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- North Dakota housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in North Dakota is 58.37% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and North Dakota
Comparison | New Jersey | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Nor'easters | Blizzards, Floods |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Mostly Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 66Β°F | 82Β°F / 57Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 25Β°F | 23Β°F / 2Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 17.8 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | 51 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Jersey to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 2% fewer sunshine days than New Jersey.
- North Dakota has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and floods in North Dakota.
- The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 3 degrees colder than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 23 degrees colder than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 29.2 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and North Dakota
Comparison | New Jersey | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 10.75% | 2.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.13% | 0.99% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.625% | 5% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Technology | Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 25% less than those in New Jersey
- The COLI in North Dakota will be 27% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in ND is 2.9% compared to 10.75% in NJ
- The affluence in North Dakota is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
- The poverty level is moderate in North Dakota compared to low in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and low in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. North Dakota
Comparison | New Jersey | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal-leaning | Conservative-leaning |
Local Politics | Diverse representation | Primarily Republican representation |
Religion | Catholic, Jewish, Protestant | Lutheran, Catholic |
- New Jersey tends to lean Liberal-leaning in its political climate
- North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as conservative-leaning
- North Dakota's religious environment can be described as Lutheran and Catholic
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to North Dakota
Comparison | New Jersey | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University New Jersey Institute of Technology | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Millburn Elementary (Millburn) Central Elementary School (Wall) | Freedom Elementary School (West Fargo) Liberty Elementary School (Bismarck) Centennial Elementary School (Fargo) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Community Middle School (Plainsboro) Millburn Middle School (Millburn) William Annin Middle School (Basking Ridge) | Ben Franklin Middle School (Fargo) Horizon Middle School (Bismarck) Discovery Middle School (Fargo) |
Top 3 High School Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Princeton High School (Princeton) | Fargo North High School (Fargo) Century High School (Bismarck) Grand Forks Central High School (Grand Forks) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) | Shanley High School (Fargo) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) St. Mary's Central High School (Bismarck) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Princeton Day School (Princeton) Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) Rutgers Preparatory School (Somerset) | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Trinity Christian School (Williston) |
Top 3 School Districts | Millburn Township School District Princeton Public Schools Summit Public Schools | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools West Fargo Public Schools |
How Much Do New Jersey to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,683 miles from New Jersey to North Dakota 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: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,157 | 300 ft3 | $7.19 |
1 Bedroom | $3,212 | 450 ft3 | $7.14 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,317 | 750 ft3 | $7.09 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,743 | 1100 ft3 | $7.04 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,182 | 1600 ft3 | $6.99 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,490 | 1800 ft3 | $6.94 |
Top New Jersey to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Big G Movers, INC
Best moving company overall for New Jersey to North Dakota