Ohio to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 1,186 mile interstate move from Ohio to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Ohio vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs drier climate), food & health (like Cincinnati Chili vs Knoephla Soup), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs ranch, split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cincinnati Chili and Polish Boy, but get your taste buds ready for Knoephla Soup & Bison Steak
- North Dakota housing costs are 14% more expensive than they are in Ohio
- Rent in North Dakota is 29.49% more affordable than in Ohio
- Moving from Ohio to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Ohio to North Dakota movers is Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Ohio to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Ohio to North Dakota
- High humidity
- Dense population
- Heavy traffic
- Cost of living
- Frequent rain
- Drier climate
- Spacious landscapes
- Less congestion
- Affordability
- Less rainfall
- Limited cultural scene
- Fewer sports events
- Developing infrastructure
- Limited dining options
- Harsh winters
- Diverse culture
- Major sports teams
- Mature infrastructure
- Variety of cuisines
- Moderate winters
Pros of moving from Ohio to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a drier climate
- Look forward to moving away from a dense population and moving to North Dakota with spacious landscapes
- Swap the heavy traffic of Ohio for less congestion in North Dakota
- Get ready for affordability in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Ohio to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a diverse culture in Ohio to live with a limited cultural scene in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of major sports teams and have to settle for the con of fewer sports events
- Time to bid farewell to mature infrastructure and get used to developing infrastructure in North Dakota
- Swap a variety of cuisines for limited dining options
Ohio vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Ohio | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cincinnati Chili | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular meat dish | Polish Boy | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Buckeye Candies | Fleischkuekle |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Chili | Lentil Dish |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Ohio to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Cincinnati Chili of Ohio for the equally delicious Knoephla Soup of North Dakota. And while the locals in Ohio rave about their flavorful Polish Boy and sumptuous Buckeye Candies, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Fleischkuekle to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Chili they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Dish of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Ohio eateries like Slyman's, Schmidtβs Sausage Haus, and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. After the boxes are unpacked in North Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to North Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Kroll's Diner, Pitchfork Steak Fondue, and HoDo Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Ohio. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota, compared to what you are used to in Ohio. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Ohio and North Dakota
Comparison | Ohio | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Ranch, Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, proximity to schools | Energy efficiency, open spaces |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Ohio is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Ohio's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and proximity to schools, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and open spaces.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Dakota is less walkable than Ohio.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; North Dakota is less bike-friendly than Ohio.
- North Dakota has less of an urban feel than Ohio.
- North Dakota housing costs are 14% more expensive than they are in Ohio, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Ohioβs $223,135.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased 18% compared to a 49% increase in Ohio.
- Rent in North Dakota is 29.49% more affordable than in Ohio.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Ohio and North Dakota
Comparison | Ohio | 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 | Storms, Flooding | Blizzards, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 82Β°F / 57Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 36Β°F / 23Β°F | 24Β°F / 2Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 39 | 17 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 28 | 51 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Ohio to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 14% more sunshine days than Ohio.
- North Dakota has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Ohio.
- Say goodbye to the possible storms and flooding in Ohio, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and floods in North Dakota.
- The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 1 degree colder than in Ohio.
- The average winter lows are 21 degrees colder than they are in Ohio.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 22 fewer inches of rain compared to Ohio.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Ohio and North Dakota
Comparison | Ohio | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,720 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.85 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 2.85% - 4.80% | 1.10% - 2.90% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.57% | 1.05% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.75% | 5.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Finance, Education | Energy, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Visible | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 10% more than those in Ohio
- The COLI in North Dakota will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Ohio
- The state income tax in ND is 1.10% - 2.90% compared to 2.85% - 4.80% in OH
- The affluence in North Dakota is high compared to moderate in Ohio
- The poverty level is low in North Dakota compared to moderate in Ohio
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Ohio and minimal in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Ohio vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Ohio | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Purple state, swings between Republican and Democratic | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Mix of urban liberal and rural conservative views | Rural, conservative views predominant |
Religion | Christianity dominant, diverse religious communities | Primarily Christian, particularly Protestant |
- Ohio tends to lean purple in its political climate
- North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- North Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, particularly Protestant
- Ohio's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Ohio to North Dakota
Comparison | Ohio | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Ohio State University University of Cincinnati Ohio University | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Ottawa Hills Elementary Ottawa Hills Indian Hill Elementary Cincinnati Granville Elementary Granville | Freedom Elementary West Fargo Liberty Elementary Bismarck Prairie Rose Elementary Dickinson |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Bexley Middle School Bexley Granville Middle School Granville Hudson Middle School Hudson | Ben Franklin Middle School Fargo Horizon Middle School Bismarck Sims Middle School Dickinson |
Top 3 High School Schools | Bexley High Bexley Ottawa Hills High Ottawa Hills Hudson High Hudson | Century High Bismarck Fargo North High Fargo West Fargo High West Fargo |
Top 3 private high schools | Hawken School Gates Mills University School Hunting Valley The Seven Hills School Cincinnati | Shanley High School Fargo St. Mary's Central High School Bismarck Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Columbus Academy Gahanna Hawken School Gates Mills Western Reserve Academy Hudson | Shiloh Christian School Bismarck Dakota Adventist Academy Bismarck Trinity Christian School Williston |
Top 3 School Districts | Indian Hill Exempted Village School District Cincinnati Ottawa Hills Local School District Ottawa Hills Granville Exempted Village School District Granville | West Fargo Public Schools West Fargo Bismarck Public Schools Bismarck Fargo Public Schools Fargo |
How Much Do Ohio to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,186 miles from Ohio to North Dakota 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: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,875 | 300 ft3 | $6.25 |
1 Bedroom | $2,790 | 450 ft3 | $6.20 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,612 | 750 ft3 | $6.15 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,709 | 1100 ft3 | $6.10 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,679 | 1600 ft3 | $6.05 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,799 | 1800 ft3 | $6.00 |
Top Ohio to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Ohio to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Best moving company overall for Ohio to North Dakota