Movers

Tennessee to North Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

Hero background image

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

ConsTennessee iconTennessee
  • Hot humid summers
  • High crime rate
  • Higher state taxes
  • Traffic congestion
  • Allergy-inducing flora
ProsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Cooler summers
  • Lower crime rate
  • No state income tax
  • Less traffic
  • Fresh prairie air

North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Limited entertainment options
  • Harsh winters
  • Fewer cultural amenities
  • Less diverse nightlife
  • Fewer dining options
Tennessee iconTennessee
  • 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

ComparisonTennesseeNorth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemMemphis BBQKnoephla Soup
Most popular meat dishHot ChickenBison Steak
Most popular street food itemBiscuits and GravyFleischkuekle
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitLentil Stew
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous
  • Pancake Pantry
  • Hattie B's Hot Chicken
  • Kroll's Diner
  • The Pitchfork Steak Fondue
  • HoDo Restaurant
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonTennesseeNorth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchRanch, Craftsman
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLarge backyards, proximity to amenitiesEnergy 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 Tennessee’s $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

ComparisonTennesseeNorth Dakota
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, StormsBlizzards, Floods
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/6982/55
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)49/3023/2
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5017
Annual Snowfall (Inches)551
  • 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

ComparisonTennesseeNorth Dakota
Political Make-upTraditionally leans RepublicanStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsModerate with pockets of liberalismConservative, especially in rural areas
ReligionEvangelical Protestant, followed by Mainline Protestant and CatholicMainly 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

ComparisonTennesseeNorth 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 SchoolsLockeland 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 SchoolsBrentwood 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 SchoolsHume-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 schoolsBaylor 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 schoolsLausanne 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 DistrictsWilliamson 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 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,001300 ft3$6.67
1 Bedroom$2,979450 ft3$6.62
2 Bedrooms$4,927750 ft3$6.57
3 Bedrooms$7,1711100 ft3$6.52
4 Bedrooms$10,3501600 ft3$6.47
5+ Bedrooms$11,5541800 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.

TOP PICK
Alpha Moving & Storage LLC featured image

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

Best moving company overall for Tennessee to North Dakota

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Boundless Moving & Storage featured image

Boundless Moving & Storage

9.33/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details

Nashville to North Dakota

Memphis to North Dakota

Knoxville to North Dakota

    Chattanooga to North Dakota

      Clarksville to North Dakota