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Utah to North Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 20, 2025

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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

ConsUtah iconUtah
  • Arid climate
  • High cost of living
  • Severe droughts
  • Traffic congestion
ProsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Fertile farmland
  • Lower cost of living
  • Ample water supply
  • Light traffic

North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Flat landscapes
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited cultural scene
  • Lacks similar park density
Utah iconUtah
  • 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

ComparisonUtahNorth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemJell-OLefse
Most popular meat dishUtah Scones with Honey ButterBison Steak
Most popular street food itemFry Sauce with anything friedKnoephla Soup
Most popular vegan foodVegan Mormon Funeral PotatoesChokecherry Jam
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Red Iguana
  • Pig & A Jelly Jar
  • Ruth's Diner
  • Kroll's Diner
  • The Pitchfork Steak Fondue
  • Sakura Japanese Steakhouse
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 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

ComparisonUtahNorth Dakota
Typical Architecture StylePrairie, RanchRanch, Split-level
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 listingMountain views, Open floor plansSpacious 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 Utah’s $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

ComparisonUtahNorth 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 DisastersEarthquakes, WildfiresBlizzards, Floods
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 60Β°F82Β°F / 57Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)37Β°F / 20Β°F24Β°F / 6Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)2018
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5652
  • 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

ComparisonUtahNorth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$89,168$71,970
Cost of Living Index95.7595.3
State Income Tax4.951.1 - 2.9
Avg. Property Tax0.580.98
Avg. Sales Tax4.855.0
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Tourism, EducationEnergy, Agriculture, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateSteady
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessMinimalLow
  • 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

ComparisonUtahNorth Dakota
Political Make-upConservative-leaning, high Republican supportConservative, with a strong Republican base
Local PoliticsMormon influence on policies and decisionsAgricultural and energy-sector interests play a significant role
ReligionMajority 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

ComparisonUtahNorth 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 SchoolsCanyon 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 SchoolsRowland 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 SchoolsAcademy 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 schoolsRowland 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 schoolsWaterford 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 DistrictsPark 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 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 4-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: 801 Moving Company
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,790300 ft3$5.97
1 Bedroom$2,663450 ft3$5.92
2 Bedrooms$4,401750 ft3$5.87
3 Bedrooms$6,4001100 ft3$5.82
4 Bedrooms$9,2291600 ft3$5.77
5+ Bedrooms$10,2921800 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.

TOP PICK
801 Moving Company featured image

801 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for Utah to North Dakota

9.42/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Best of Utah Moving Company featured image

Best of Utah Moving Company

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Utah to North Dakota Routes

Salt Lake City to North Dakota