Oklahoma to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 1,153 mile interstate move from Oklahoma to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Oklahoma vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe storms vs milder summer weather), food & health (like Chicken Fried Steak vs Lefse), real estate & housing (ranch style vs prairie style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chicken Fried Steak and BBQ Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Lefse & Bison Steak
- North Dakota housing costs are 25% more expensive than they are in Oklahoma
- Rent in North Dakota is 19.63% more affordable than in Oklahoma
- Moving from Oklahoma to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Oklahoma to North Dakota movers is Two Men and a Truck
Oklahoma to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Oklahoma to North Dakota
- Severe storms
- High humidity
- Traffic congestion
- Limited winter activities
- Milder summer weather
- Low humidity
- Less traffic
- Winter sports opportunities
- Higher cost of living
- Fewer entertainment options
- Limited dining options
- Less cultural diversity
- Affordable housing
- Vibrant arts scene
- Diverse cuisine
- Rich cultural history
Pros of moving from Oklahoma to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to severe storms and hello to milder summer weather
- Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to North Dakota with low humidity
- Swap the traffic congestion of Oklahoma for less traffic in North Dakota
- Get ready for winter sports opportunities in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Oklahoma to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable housing in Oklahoma to live with a higher cost of living in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of a vibrant arts scene and have to settle for the con of fewer entertainment options
- Time to bid farewell to diverse cuisine and get used to limited dining options in North Dakota
- Swap rich cultural history for less cultural diversity
Oklahoma vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Oklahoma | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chicken Fried Steak | Lefse |
Most popular meat dish | BBQ Brisket | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Fried Onion Burger | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan BBQ | Wild Rice Dish |
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 Oklahoma to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Chicken Fried Steak of Oklahoma for the equally delicious Lefse of North Dakota. And while the locals in Oklahoma rave about their flavorful BBQ Brisket and sumptuous Fried Onion Burger, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Knoephla Soup to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan BBQ they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Dish of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Oklahoma eateries like Cattleman's Steakhouse, Eischen's Bar, and Side Street Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in North Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to North Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Krollβs Diner, The Toasted Frog, and Axel's Tavern.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Oklahoma. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota compared to what you are used to in Oklahoma. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oklahoma and North Dakota
Comparison | Oklahoma | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch style | Prairie style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to schools | Energy efficiency, garage space |
- The Ranch style architecture that Oklahoma is known for will be replaced with the Prairie style architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Oklahoma's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to schools, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and garage space.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Dakota is more walkable than Oklahoma.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Dakota is more bike-friendly than Oklahoma.
- North Dakota has an equally urban feel as Oklahoma.
- North Dakota housing costs are 25% more expensive than they are in Oklahoma, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Oklahomaβs $203,455.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased 18% compared to a 50% increase in Oklahoma.
- Rent in North Dakota is 19.63% more affordable than in Oklahoma.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Oklahoma and North Dakota
Comparison | Oklahoma | 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 | Tornadoes, Hail | Blizzards, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 94/72 | 82/55 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50/29 | 24/-2 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 36 | 17.8 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 9 | 48 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Oklahoma to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 13% fewer sunshine days than Oklahoma.
- North Dakota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Oklahoma.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and hail in Oklahoma, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and floods in North Dakota.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 12 degrees colder than in Oklahoma.
- The average winter lows are 31 degrees colder than they are in Oklahoma.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 18.2 fewer inches of rain compared to Oklahoma.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Oklahoma and North Dakota
Comparison | Oklahoma | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,673 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.1 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 2.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.9% | 1.0% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.95% | 6.85% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Agriculture, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Energy, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Very Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 21% more than in Oklahoma
- The COLI in North Dakota is 6% higher than what you are used to living in Oklahoma
- The state income tax in ND is 2.9% compared to 5% in OK
- The affluence in North Dakota is moderate compared to moderate in Oklahoma
- The poverty level is low in North Dakota compared to moderate in Oklahoma
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Oklahoma and very low in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Oklahoma vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Oklahoma | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative-leaning | Conservative-leaning |
Local Politics | Republican-dominated state government | Republican-dominated state government |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with a significant Protestant population | Primarily Christian, with a strong Lutheran presence |
- Oklahoma tends to lean conservative-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 primarily Christian with a strong Lutheran presence
- Oklahoma's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian with a significant Protestant population
Education Guide When Moving from Oklahoma to North Dakota
Comparison | Oklahoma | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Oklahoma Oklahoma State University University of Tulsa | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Chisholm Elementary School - Edmond Russell Dougherty Elementary - Edmond Northern Hills Elementary - Edmond | Freedom Elementary - West Fargo Liberty Elementary - Bismarck Centennial Elementary - Fargo |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Whittier Middle School - Norman Sequoyah Middle School - Edmond Central Middle School - Edmond | Ben Franklin Middle School - Fargo Horizon Middle School - Bismarck Discovery Middle School - Fargo |
Top 3 High School Schools | Edmond North High School - Edmond Norman North High School - Norman Jenks High School - Jenks | Fargo North High School - Fargo Century High School - Bismarck Grand Forks Central High School - Grand Forks |
Top 3 private high schools | Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School - Oklahoma City Cascia Hall Preparatory School - Tulsa Heritage Hall - Oklahoma City | Shanley High School - Fargo Oak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo St. Mary's Central High School - Bismarck |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Crossings Christian School - Oklahoma City Heritage Hall - Oklahoma City Cascia Hall Preparatory School - Tulsa | Oak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo Shiloh Christian School - Bismarck Trinity Christian School - Williston |
Top 3 School Districts | Edmond Public Schools Norman Public Schools Jenks Public Schools | West Fargo Public Schools Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools |
How Much Do Oklahoma to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,153 miles from Oklahoma 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: 3-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Serenity Moving Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,856 | 300 ft3 | $6.19 |
1 Bedroom | $2,762 | 450 ft3 | $6.14 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,565 | 750 ft3 | $6.09 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,641 | 1100 ft3 | $6.04 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,579 | 1600 ft3 | $5.99 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,687 | 1800 ft3 | $5.94 |
Top Oklahoma to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Oklahoma to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Two Men and a Truck
Best moving company overall for Oklahoma to North Dakota