Utah to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 1,037 mile interstate move from Utah to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Utah vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like arid climate vs fertile farmland), food & health (like Jell-O vs Lefse), real estate & housing (prairie, ranch vs ranch, split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Utah), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Jell-O and Utah Scones with Honey Butter, but get your taste buds ready for Lefse & Bison Steak
- North Dakota housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in Utah
- Rent in North Dakota is 39.39% more affordable than in Utah
- Moving from Utah to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Utah to North Dakota movers is 801 Moving Company
Utah to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Utah to North Dakota
- Arid climate
- High cost of living
- Severe droughts
- Traffic congestion
- Fertile farmland
- Lower cost of living
- Ample water supply
- Light traffic
- Flat landscapes
- Harsh winters
- Limited cultural scene
- Lacks similar park density
- Scenic mountains
- Varied seasons
- Rich cultural activities
- National parks
Pros of moving from Utah to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to arid climate and hello to fertile farmland
- Look forward to moving away from high cost of living and moving to North Dakota with lower cost of living
- Swap the severe droughts of Utah for ample water supply in North Dakota
- Get ready for light traffic in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Utah to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic mountains in Utah to live with flat landscapes in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of varied seasons and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
- Time to bid farewell to rich cultural activities and get used to a limited cultural scene in North Dakota
- Swap national parks for a lack of similar park density
Utah vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Utah | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Jell-O | Lefse |
Most popular meat dish | Utah Scones with Honey Butter | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Fry Sauce with anything fried | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Mormon Funeral Potatoes | Chokecherry Jam |
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 Utah to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Jell-O of Utah for the equally delicious Lefse of North Dakota. And while the locals in Utah rave about their flavorful Utah Scones with Honey Butter and sumptuous Fry Sauce with anything fried, 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 Mormon Funeral Potatoes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Chokecherry Jam of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Utah eateries like Red Iguana, Pig & A Jelly Jar, and Ruth's Diner. 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 Sakura Japanese Steakhouse.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Utah. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota compared to what you are used to in Utah. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Utah and North Dakota
Comparison | Utah | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie, Ranch | Ranch, Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, Open floor plans | Spacious yards, Quiet neighborhoods |
- The Prairie and Ranch architecture that Utah is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Utah's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and open floor plans, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. North Dakota is less walkable than Utah.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. North Dakota is less bike-friendly than Utah.
- North Dakota has less of an urban feel than Utah.
- North Dakota housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in Utah, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Utahβs $519,182.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to a 56% increase in Utah.
- Rent in North Dakota is 39.39% more affordable than in Utah.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Utah and North Dakota
Comparison | Utah | 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 | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Blizzards, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 60Β°F | 82Β°F / 57Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 20Β°F | 24Β°F / 6Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20 | 18 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 56 | 52 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Utah to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 16% fewer sunshine days than Utah.
- North Dakota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Utah.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in Utah, 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 Utah.
- The average winter lows are 14 degrees colder than they are in Utah.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Utah.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Utah and North Dakota
Comparison | Utah | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,168 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.75 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 4.95 | 1.1 - 2.9 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.58 | 0.98 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.85 | 5.0 |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Tourism, Education | Energy, Agriculture, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Steady |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 19% less than in Utah
- The COLI in North Dakota is 0% lower than what you are used to living in Utah
- The state income tax in ND is 1.1 to 2.9 compared to 4.95 in UT
- The affluence in North Dakota is steady compared to moderate affluence in Utah
- The poverty level is moderate in North Dakota compared to low poverty in Utah
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Utah and low in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Utah vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Utah | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative-leaning, high Republican support | Conservative, with a strong Republican base |
Local Politics | Mormon influence on policies and decisions | Agricultural and energy-sector interests play a significant role |
Religion | Majority LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) | Primarily Christian, with a significant Lutheran presence |
- Utah tends to lean conservative, with high Republican support in its political climate
- North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as conservative, with a strong Republican base
- North Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with a significant Lutheran presence
- Utah's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as majority LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Education Guide When Moving from Utah to North Dakota
Comparison | Utah | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Utah Salt Lake City Brigham Young University Provo Utah State University Logan | North Dakota State University Fargo University of North Dakota Grand Forks Minot State University Minot |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Canyon Rim Academy Salt Lake City Ensign Elementary School Salt Lake City Madeleine Choir School Salt Lake City | Freedom Elementary School West Fargo Lincoln Elementary School Dickinson Longfellow Elementary School Fargo |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Rowland Hall Salt Lake City Wasatch Junior High Salt Lake City Madeleine Choir School Salt Lake City | Ben Franklin Middle School Fargo Discovery Middle School Fargo Wachter Middle School Bismarck |
Top 3 High Schools | Academy for Math Engineering & Science Salt Lake City Skyline High School Salt Lake City Corner Canyon High School Draper | Central High School Grand Forks Century High School Bismarck Fargo South High School Fargo |
Top 3 private high schools | Rowland Hall Salt Lake City Waterford School Sandy St. Joseph Catholic High School Ogden | Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo Shanley High School Fargo Trinity High School Dickinson |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Waterford School Sandy Rowland Hall Salt Lake City Madeleine Choir School Salt Lake City | Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo Shiloh Christian School Bismarck Trinity High School Dickinson |
Top 3 School Districts | Park City School District Park City Davis School District Farmington Granite School District Salt Lake City | Fargo Public Schools District Fargo Bismarck Public Schools Bismarck Grand Forks Public Schools Grand Forks |
How Much Do Utah to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,037 miles from Utah to North Dakota will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 4-4 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: 801 Moving Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,790 | 300 ft3 | $5.97 |
1 Bedroom | $2,663 | 450 ft3 | $5.92 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,401 | 750 ft3 | $5.87 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,400 | 1100 ft3 | $5.82 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,229 | 1600 ft3 | $5.77 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,292 | 1800 ft3 | $5.72 |
Top Utah to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Utah to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

801 Moving Company
Best moving company overall for Utah to North Dakota