Pennsylvania to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 1,479 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Knoephla Soup), real estate & housing (colonial, dutch vs ranch, split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pittsburgh-style steak, but get your taste buds ready for Knoephla Soup & Bison steak
- North Dakota housing costs are 3% less expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in North Dakota is 31.22% more affordable than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to North Dakota movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Pennsylvania to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to North Dakota
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Humid summers
- Lack of open space
- Lower cost of living
- Less traffic congestion
- Dryer summers
- Vast landscapes
- Fewer historical sites
- Fewer dining options
- Less diversity
- More rural areas
- Rich history
- Varied cuisine
- Diverse culture
- Major cities
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to North Dakota with less traffic congestion
- Swap the humid summers of Pennsylvania for drier summers in North Dakota
- Get ready for vast landscapes in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Pennsylvania to live with fewer historical sites in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of varied cuisine and have to settle for the con of fewer dining options
- Time to bid farewell to the diverse culture and get used to less diversity in North Dakota
- Swap major cities for more rural areas
Pennsylvania vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular meat dish | Pittsburgh-style steak | Bison steak |
Most popular street food item | Pretzels | Frybread Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Cheesesteak | Lentil Burgers |
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 Pennsylvania to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Knoephla Soup of North Dakota. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pittsburgh-style steak and sumptuous Pretzels, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison steak and Frybread Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Cheesesteak they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Burgers of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Pat's King of Steaks, Zahav, and Primanti Bros. After the boxes are unpacked in North Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to North Dakota's acclaimed eateries like HoDo Restaurant, Pitchfork Steak Fondue, and Kroll's Diner.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota, compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and North Dakota
Comparison | Pennsylvania | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Dutch | Ranch, Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, Granite countertops | Energy efficiency, Open concept |
- The Colonial and Dutch architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and open concept layouts.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Dakota is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; North Dakota is less bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- North Dakota has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- North Dakota housing costs are 3% less expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased 18% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in North Dakota is 31.22% more affordable than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and North Dakota
Comparison | Pennsylvania | 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 | Floods, Snowstorms | Blizzards, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 62Β°F | 82Β°F / 57Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 21Β°F | 24Β°F / 2Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 17 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 52 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 12% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- North Dakota has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible floods and snowstorms in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows are 19 degrees colder than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 25 fewer inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and North Dakota
Comparison | Pennsylvania | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 3.07% | 2.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.58% | 0.99% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.34% | 6.85% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education | Agriculture, Energy, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Stable |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Significant | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 0% more than in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in North Dakota will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- The state income tax in ND is 2.9% compared to 3.07% in PA
- The affluence in North Dakota is stable compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is moderate in North Dakota compared to high in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Pennsylvania and low in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Pennsylvania | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately liberal, swing state | Conservative stronghold |
Local Politics | Diverse, urban vs. rural divide | Community-focused, less diverse |
Religion | Christian majority, with significant Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish populations | Christian majority, predominantly Protestant, smaller Catholic presence |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean moderately liberal in its political climate
- North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as a conservative stronghold
- North Dakota's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority, predominantly Protestant with a smaller Catholic presence
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority, with significant Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish populations
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to North Dakota
Comparison | Pennsylvania | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | 1. University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia 2. Pennsylvania State University State College 3. Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh | 1. North Dakota State University Fargo 2. University of North Dakota Grand Forks 3. Minot State University Minot |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | 1. Whitemarsh Elementary Lafayette Hill 2. Pine Road Elementary Huntingdon Valley 3. Bradford Woods Elementary Bradfordwoods | 1. Freedom Elementary West Fargo 2. Centennial Elementary Fargo 3. Longfellow Elementary Fargo |
Top 3 Middle Schools | 1. Radnor Middle School Radnor 2. Haverford Middle School Havertown 3. Welsh Valley Middle School Narberth | 1. Ben Franklin Middle School Fargo 2. Simle Middle School Bismarck 3. Discovery Middle School Grand Forks |
Top 3 High Schools | 1. Conestoga High School Berwyn 2. Julia R. Masterman Secondary School Philadelphia 3. Radnor High School Radnor | 1. Fargo North High School Fargo 2. Bismarck High School Bismarck 3. Central High School Grand Forks |
Top 3 private high schools | 1. The Haverford School Haverford 2. Germantown Friends School Philadelphia 3. Malvern Preparatory School Malvern | 1. Shanley High School Fargo 2. Saint Mary's Central High School Bismarck 3. Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | 1. The Baldwin School Bryn Mawr 2. Friends' Central School Wynnewood 3. The Shipley School Bryn Mawr | 1. Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo 2. Shiloh Christian School Bismarck 3. Trinity Christian School Williston |
Top 3 School Districts | 1. Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Berwyn 2. Radnor Township School District Radnor 3. Lower Merion School District Ardmore | 1. Fargo Public Schools Fargo 2. Bismarck Public Schools Bismarck 3. Grand Forks Public Schools Grand Forks |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,479 miles from Pennsylvania 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: 1-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,041 | 300 ft3 | $6.80 |
1 Bedroom | $3,039 | 450 ft3 | $6.75 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,027 | 750 ft3 | $6.70 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,319 | 1100 ft3 | $6.65 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,565 | 1600 ft3 | $6.60 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,796 | 1800 ft3 | $6.55 |
Top Pennsylvania to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to North Dakota