Moving from North Dakota to Montana ($1,610-$7,030)
Fact Checked by:
The cost to move from North Dakota to Montana ranges from $1,610 to $7,030 with full-service movers, based on 774 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Our moving cost calculator weighs your exact distance, home size, and move date together, so your estimate reflects this specific North Dakota to Montana route rather than a flat average.
How much does it cost to move from North Dakota to Montana?
The average cost of moving from North Dakota to Montana with full-service movers typically ranges between $1,610 to $7,030 for a studio to 3-bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 774 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 524 miles.
The final price of your North Dakota to Montana move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,610 - $4,290 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,670 - $7,030 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,950 - $10,070 |
How much do moving containers cost from North Dakota to Montana?
A moving container from North Dakota to Montana costs between $750 and $3,520, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,330 to $2,550, roughly 60% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 524-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $750 - $1,920 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,330 - $2,550 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,850 - $3,520 |
0% of movers in North Dakota offer climate-controlled storage, worth asking about if your container needs to sit before delivery.
How much does a rental truck cost from North Dakota to Montana?
A rental truck from North Dakota to Montana costs between $460 and $1,230. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $520 to $990, about 85% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in North Dakota averaging $2.83 per gallon, fuel for the 524-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $460 - $890 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $520 - $990 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $640 - $1,230 |
Add-on costs for a North Dakota to Montana move
Most North Dakota to Montana estimates start as a base transport figure and climb from there as accessorials get attached. Knowing which ones actually apply to a 524-mile move is the difference between a quote that holds and one that moves on delivery day.
At 524 miles, a North Dakota to Montana move is typically a one-to-two-day haul. That's the range where storage-in-transit and shuttle fees start appearing on quotes, since your shipment may sit briefly before a delivery window opens in Montana. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
Cost of living is close between North Dakota and Montana, so accessorial pricing on this route lands near national averages at both ends. Distance, not local labor rates, is what drives the numbers below.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (North Dakota to Montana) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $500 - $1,290 |
| Packing materials only | $140 - $410 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $320 - $880 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $100 - $260 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $80 - $250 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $180 - $430 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $200 - $580 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $350 - $550 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 524-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your North Dakota to Montana estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
80% of movers in North Dakota handle piano moves, 30% handle pool tables, and 40% handle safes — confirm your mover covers whichever specialty item you're moving before booking. 10% of North Dakota movers require a deposit to book, and 30% offer full-value protection as an add-on rather than folding it into every quote.
Our recommended North Dakota to Montana Movers
These movers average a 90% positive review rate among North Dakota movers we track.
Compare movers for your North Dakota to Montana move
Get quotes from a few of these before deciding: the long-distance movers serving North Dakota that our reviews rank highest for moves headed to Montana:
20% of North Dakota movers we track offer instant online quotes, below the 45% national average, so you can compare several before picking up the phone.
430 28th Ct NW, Unit A, West Fargo, ND 58078
3222 4th Ave S, #1, Fargo, ND 58103
1400 Burlington Dr #2D, Bismarck, ND 58504
2402 N 69th St, Grand Forks, ND 58203
3709 Grandwood Dr, North Fargo, ND 58102
Alternate North Dakota to Montana moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on a North Dakota to Montana move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 60% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 85% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in North Dakota run $60 - $80 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Montana end. 60% of movers in North Dakota offer labor-only service, so finding one shouldn't take long.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in North Dakota on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Montana for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $323 - $813 to rent in North Dakota, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed over 774 real quotes from North Dakota to Montana, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Montana to North Dakota guide.
North Dakota to Montana cost of living comparison
Every state-to-state move comes down to a similar set of questions: what will it cost to live there, what's the job market like, and how affordable is housing? Using the moving trends we track nationwide, here's how North Dakota and Montana compare:
| Factor | North Dakota | Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 96 | 100 |
| Average household income | $73,959 | $66,341 |
| Median home value | $263,410 | $462,631 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.4% | 3.3% |
| State income tax | 2.9% | 6.75% |
| Average monthly rent | $912 | $974 |
| Average sales tax | 6.96% | 0.0% |
| Crime index | 22.74 | 23.37 |
| College graduation rate | 31.74% | 34.8% |
| Population | 783,926 | 1,132,812 |
The cost of living in Montana is comparable to North Dakota, so most people making this move are driven by career, family, or personal reasons rather than cost differences. Day-to-day expenses should feel familiar after you settle in.
Montana's largest industries are Real estate and rental and leasing ($7.1 billion), Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($5.4 billion), and Professional and business services ($3.9 billion), worth a look if a job change is part of this move.
FAQs: Moving from North Dakota to Montana
How does the cost of living in Montana compare to North Dakota?
Montana's cost of living index of 100 is about the same as North Dakota's 96 (100 is the national average), so day-to-day costs should feel familiar. Average rent runs $912 in North Dakota versus $974 in Montana. Crime index is 22.74 in North Dakota vs 23.37 in Montana. 34.8% of Montana adults hold a college degree, versus 31.74% in North Dakota.
What's the cheapest way to move from North Dakota to Montana?
A rental truck is cheapest: $520 - $990 for a 2-3 bedroom move, about 85% less than full-service. At 524 miles, that's 2 days behind the wheel, plus around $164 in fuel. Moving containers ($1,330 - $2,550, about 60% less than full-service) skip the drive entirely. Use our moving cost calculator to compare all 3 for your move size.
How do I get a moving quote from North Dakota to Montana?
Use our moving cost calculator for an instant estimate on this 524-mile route. Full-service runs $1,610-$7,030, or a rental truck starts at $459. Take a room-by-room inventory of your furniture and bulky items so your quote matches your final bill. Then collect a few real quotes and confirm whether each is binding or non-binding — moveBuddha has reviewed 10 movers in North Dakota alone.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves are regulated federally by the FMCSA. Verify your mover's USDOT number for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool. Report violations at 1-888-368-7238. You can also look up licensed movers in North Dakota at North Dakota's official regulatorandin Montana at Montana's official regulator.
Are full-service movers worth it for a North Dakota to Montana move?
People making this move are often chasing unmatched natural beauty in Montana.Full-service makes sense for a large home (3+ bedrooms), a tight timeline, or high-value items. DIY fits a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms) when cost matters most and you have time to spare. Moving containers, about 60% less than full-service, split the difference by skipping the drive.
Popular North Dakota to Montana moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the North Dakota to Montana corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
Moving from North Dakota to Montana: the bottom line
The cost to move from North Dakota to Montana ranges from $1,610 - $7,030 for a studio to 3-bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 60% - 85% less for the same move. For most people making this 524-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.
