($1,249) Moving From California to North Dakota
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to North Dakota ranges from $1,047 to $6,840 and takes four-fifteen days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to North Dakota separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from North Dakota to California guide.
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The best California to North Dakota movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to North Dakota is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to North Dakota:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- BLVD Moving: Best for quick quotes
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351 (209) 551-7772 |
| Meathead Movers | Get A Quote |
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4744 North El Capitan Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93722 (559) 785-0316 |
| Grizzly Moving | Get A Quote |
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7090 Miramar Rd #102, San Diego, CA, 92121 (844) 474-9959 |
Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from California to North Dakota?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to North Dakota for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,249 - $4,979 | $1,102 - $2,535 | $977 - $1,916 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,006 - $6,840 | $1,964 - $3,859 | $1,047 - $2,166 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,406 - $10,379 | $2,605 - $5,329 | $1,414 - $2,649 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,717 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to ND
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to North Dakota will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
How much does it cost to hire movers from California to North Dakota?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to North Dakota will cost between $1,249 and $4,979. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to ND will range from $3,006 to $6,840, and a large move from California to North Dakota will cost from $5,406 to $10,379.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to North Dakota?
Moving containers from California to North Dakota will cost you $1,102 to $2,535 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,964 to $3,859. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,605 to $5,329. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.
How much is a moving truck from California to North Dakota?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$977 to $1,916.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,047 to $2,166,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to North Dakota costs from
$1,414 to $2,649.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to North Dakota a good idea?
If you’re moving to North Dakota from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. North Dakota
| California | North Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $912 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $263,410 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $73,959 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 96 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 2.4% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 6.96% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 2.9% |
- Rent is about 51% less expensive in North Dakota than in California.
- Home prices are about 66% lower in North Dakota than in California.
- The average income is about 20% lower in North Dakota than in California.
- Cost of living is 28% lower in North Dakota than in California.
- North Dakota has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 56%.
- Sales taxes are 20% lower in North Dakota than in California.
- Income taxes are 78% lower in North Dakota than in California.
How does life in North Dakota differ from California?
| North Dakota | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 783,926 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Republican 68-32 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 82ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 0ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 19" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 39" | 7" |
| Crime index | 22.74 | 28.43 |
- The population of North Dakota is approximately 98% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, North Dakota voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in North Dakota is 82ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, North Dakota reaches the temperature of 0ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about nineteen inches of annual rainfall in North Dakota versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In North Dakota, it snows about thirty-nine inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- North Dakota has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 28.43 vs 22.74.
Comparing the pros of California vs. North Dakota
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus North Dakota side by side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Ample economic opportunity |
| Pleasant weather | Peaceful rural life |
| Abundant recreational options | Affordable living costs |
| High quality of life | High-quality education opportunities |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Open rural spaces |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. North Dakota
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for North Dakota.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in North Dakota |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Long and cold winters |
| Heavy tax burdens | Lack of diversity |
| Natural disasters | Housing shortages |
| Terrible traffic | Small populations |
| Strange laws | Relaxed lifestyle |
What to know before your move to North Dakota
- Weather: North Dakota has warm summers and cold winters. The temperature differences are significant because of its far inland position and being roughly equal distance from the North Pole and the Equator.
- HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- State Licensing: All local and intrastate movers operating in the Flickertail State are regulated by the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT). Each mover in good standing is issued an NDDOT Number, which consumers may check the status and validity of by calling the phone number listed below. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a North Dakota moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: North Dakota does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to North Dakota. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Opt for cost-free Released Value Protection from movers, providing minimal coverage with a maximum liability of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your selected moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in North Dakota
While you’re in North Dakota, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Fort Mandan Overlook State Historic Site
- Maah Daah Hey Trail
- North Dakota Heritage Center
- Chateau de Mores State Historic Site
- National Buffalo Museum
- International Peace Garden
- Fargo Theatre
- Dakota Zoo
- Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
- Plains Art Museum
- Scandinavian Heritage Park
- Lake Sakakawea State Park
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic State
- North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame
- Bonanzaville USA
- Enchanted Highway
- Medora Musical
- North Dakota State Capitol
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to North Dakota?
The cheapest way to move from California to North Dakota is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from California to North Dakota?
The main reasons people are moving from California to North Dakota are the amazing upsides of living in North Dakota such as ample economic opportunity and peaceful rural life.
Is it cheaper to live in California or North Dakota?
It is generally cheaper to live in North Dakota than in California. Housing is much more affordable in North Dakota, with average rent about 51% less and home prices 65.8% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in North Dakota, most notably income taxes, which are more than 70% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in North Dakota?
You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in North Dakota you live For example, larger cities like Bismarck and Dickinson will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
