Wisconsin to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 733 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher taxes vs lower taxes), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Knoephla Soup), real estate & housing (cape cod, ranch vs ranch, split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Knoephla Soup & Bison Burger
- North Dakota housing costs are 14% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in North Dakota is 18.37% more affordable than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to North Dakota will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to North Dakota movers is Elite Movers
Wisconsin to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to North Dakota
- Higher taxes
- Dense population
- Winter intensity
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Lower taxes
- More open spaces
- Milder winters
- Affordable living costs
- Lesser traffic
- Quiet town vibe
- Fewer cultural venues
- Fewer water bodies
- Extreme winters
- Lack of major teams
- Vibrant city life
- Rich cultural sights
- Abundant lakes
- Four distinct seasons
- Pro sports teams
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to higher taxes and hello to lower taxes
- Look forward to moving away from a dense population and moving to North Dakota with more open spaces
- Swap the winter intensity of Wisconsin for milder winters in North Dakota
- Get ready for affordable living costs in North Dakota
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant city life in Wisconsin to live with a quiet town vibe in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich cultural sights and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural venues
- Time to bid farewell to abundant lakes and get used to fewer water bodies in North Dakota
- Swap four distinct seasons for extreme winters
Wisconsin vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Bison Burger |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Fleischkuekle |
Most popular vegan food | Beer Cheese Soup (Vegan Version) | 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 Wisconsin to North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Knoephla Soup of North Dakota. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Burger and Fleischkuekle to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Beer Cheese Soup (Vegan Version) 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 Wisconsin eateries like The Old Fashioned, Mader's, and Culver's. 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, Pit 109, and Meats by John & Wayne.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and North Dakota
Comparison | Wisconsin | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cape Cod, Ranch | Ranch, Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakefront access, Spacious yards | Energy efficiency, Spacious yards |
- The Cape Cod and Ranch architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference lakefront access and spacious yards, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and spacious yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. North Dakota is less walkable than Wisconsin.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. North Dakota is less bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- North Dakota has less of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- North Dakota housing costs are 14% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased 18% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in North Dakota is 18.37% more affordable than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and North Dakota
Comparison | Wisconsin | 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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Blizzards, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 85Β°F / 55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 13Β°F | 23Β°F / 2Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 | 17 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 51 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 7% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- North Dakota has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Wisconsin, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and flooding in North Dakota.
- The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 3 degrees warmer than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows in North Dakota are 11 degrees colder than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 15 fewer inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and North Dakota
Comparison | Wisconsin | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 3.54% - 7.65% | 1.10% - 2.90% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.73% | 1.05% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.44% | 6.94% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Energy, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Low |
Homelessness | Manageable | Manageable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 1% more than in Wisconsin
- The COLI in North Dakota will be 0% lower than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in ND is 1.10% - 2.90% compared to 3.54% - 7.65% in WI
- The affluence in North Dakota is moderate compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is low in North Dakota compared to low in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Wisconsin and manageable in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. North Dakota
Comparison | Wisconsin | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state, with a mix of Democratic and Republican influence | Strongly Republican, especially in statewide and federal elections |
Local Politics | Varies widely between urban (more Democratic) and rural (more Republican) areas | Largely Republican, with local politics focusing on agriculture, energy, and economic development |
Religion | Christianity is dominant, with a significant presence of Catholic and Lutheran denominations | Christianity is dominant, with a higher concentration of Lutherans due to Scandinavian heritage |
- Wisconsin tends to lean as a swing state, with a mix of Democratic and Republican influence in its political climate
- North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican, especially in statewide and federal elections
- North Dakota's religious environment can be described as Christianity being dominant, with a higher concentration of Lutherans due to Scandinavian heritage
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity being dominant, with a significant presence of Catholic and Lutheran denominations
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to North Dakota
Comparison | Wisconsin | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swan School (Madison) Park Elementary (Cross Plains) Elm Lawn Elementary (Middleton) | Liberty Elementary (Bismarck) Discovery Elementary (Fargo) Freedom Elementary (West Fargo) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Kromrey Middle (Middleton) Glacier Creek Middle (Cross Plains) Templeton Middle (Sussex) | Ben Franklin Middle (Fargo) Horizon Middle (Bismarck) Wachter Middle (Bismarck) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Madison West High (Madison) Middleton High (Middleton) Brookfield East High (Brookfield) | Century High (Bismarck) Davies High (Fargo) Legacy High (Bismarck) |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High (Milwaukee) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) | Shanley High School (Fargo) St. Mary's Central High School (Bismarck) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University Lake School (Hartland) Prairie Hill Waldorf School (Pewaukee) The Prairie School (Racine) | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Trinity Christian School (Williston) |
Top 3 School Districts | Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Elmbrook School District Waunakee Community School District | Bismarck Public Schools West Fargo Public Schools Fargo Public Schools |
How Much Do Wisconsin to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 733 miles from Wisconsin to North Dakota will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,618 | 300 ft3 | $5.39 |
1 Bedroom | $2,405 | 450 ft3 | $5.34 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,970 | 750 ft3 | $5.29 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,768 | 1100 ft3 | $5.24 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,310 | 1600 ft3 | $5.19 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,258 | 1800 ft3 | $5.14 |
Top Wisconsin to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.