Tennessee to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 1,408 mile interstate move from Tennessee to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot humid summers vs cooler summers), food & health (like Memphis BBQ vs Knoephla Soup), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes, politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Memphis BBQ and Hot Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Knoephla Soup & Bison Steak
- North Dakota housing costs are 20% less expensive than they are in Tennessee
- Rent in North Dakota is 39.29% more affordable than in Tennessee
- Moving from Tennessee to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Tennessee to North Dakota movers is Alpha Moving & Storage LLC
Tennessee to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to North Dakota
- Hot humid summers
- High crime rate
- Higher state taxes
- Traffic congestion
- Allergy-inducing flora
- Cooler summers
- Lower crime rate
- No state income tax
- Less traffic
- Fresh prairie air
- Limited entertainment options
- Harsh winters
- Fewer cultural amenities
- Less diverse nightlife
- Fewer dining options
- Diverse entertainment
- Mild winters
- Rich cultural history
- Vibrant music scene
- Varied cuisine
Pros of moving from Tennessee to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to hot humid summers and hello to cooler summers
- Look forward to moving away from a high crime rate and moving to North Dakota with a lower crime rate
- Swap the higher state taxes of Tennessee for no state income tax in North Dakota
- Get ready for less traffic in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Tennessee to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from diverse entertainment in Tennessee to live with limited entertainment options in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of mild winters and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
- Time to bid farewell to rich cultural history and get used to fewer cultural amenities in North Dakota
- Swap a vibrant music scene for less diverse nightlife
Tennessee vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Tennessee | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Memphis BBQ | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular meat dish | Hot Chicken | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Biscuits and Gravy | Fleischkuekle |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Lentil Stew |
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 Tennessee to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Memphis BBQ of Tennessee for the equally delicious Knoephla Soup of North Dakota. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful Hot Chicken and sumptuous Biscuits and Gravy, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Fleischkuekle to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Stew of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tennessee eateries like Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous, Pancake Pantry, and Hattie B's Hot Chicken. 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, The Pitchfork Steak Fondue, and HoDo Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Tennessee. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota compared to what you are used to in Tennessee. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and North Dakota
Comparison | Tennessee | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large backyards, proximity to amenities | Energy efficiency, spacious layouts |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference large backyards and proximity to amenities, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and spacious layouts.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Dakota is less walkable than Tennessee.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; North Dakota is less bike-friendly than Tennessee.
- North Dakota has less of an urban feel than Tennessee.
- North Dakota housing costs are 20% less expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Tennesseeβs $317,482.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
- Rent in North Dakota is 39.29% more affordable than in Tennessee.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Tennessee and North Dakota
Comparison | Tennessee | 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, Storms | Blizzards, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/69 | 82/55 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49/30 | 23/2 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 17 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 51 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Tennessee to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 3% fewer sunshine days than Tennessee.
- North Dakota has similar humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Tennessee.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and storms in Tennessee, 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 7 degrees colder than in Tennessee.
- The average winter lows are 28 degrees colder than they are in Tennessee.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 33 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.
Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Tennessee | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Moderate with pockets of liberalism | Conservative, especially in rural areas |
Religion | Evangelical Protestant, followed by Mainline Protestant and Catholic | Mainly Catholic, followed by Mainline Protestant |
- Tennessee tends to lean traditionally Republican 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 mainly Catholic, followed by Mainline Protestant
- Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as evangelical Protestant, followed by Mainline Protestant and Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to North Dakota
Comparison | Tennessee | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Tennessee Vanderbilt University Tennessee State University | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Lockeland Elementary Design Center (Nashville) Discovery School (Murfreesboro) New Union Elementary (Manchester) | Freedom Elementary (West Fargo) Century Elementary (Grand Forks) Roosevelt Elementary (Mandan) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood) Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School (Nashville) Bailey STEM Magnet Middle School (Nashville) | Horizon Middle School (Moorhead) Cheney Middle School (West Fargo) Wachter Middle School (Bismarck) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School (Nashville) Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro) Ravenwood High School (Brentwood) | Century High School (Bismarck) Fargo Davies High School (Fargo) Grand Forks Central High School (Grand Forks) |
Top 3 private high schools | Baylor School (Chattanooga) Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville) Harpeth Hall School (Nashville) | Shanley High School (Fargo) St. Mary's Central High School (Bismarck) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Lausanne Collegiate School (Memphis) Baylor School (Chattanooga) University School of Nashville (Nashville) | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Dakota Adventist Academy (Bismarck) |
Top 3 School Districts | Williamson County Schools Maryville City Schools Oak Ridge School District | West Fargo Public Schools Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools |
How Much Do Tennessee to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,408 miles from Tennessee to North Dakota will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-4.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,001 | 300 ft3 | $6.67 |
1 Bedroom | $2,979 | 450 ft3 | $6.62 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,927 | 750 ft3 | $6.57 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,171 | 1100 ft3 | $6.52 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,350 | 1600 ft3 | $6.47 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,554 | 1800 ft3 | $6.42 |
Top Tennessee to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Tennessee to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC
Best moving company overall for Tennessee to North Dakota