Moving from Bellevue, WA to Fargo, ND
It is 1416 mi between Bellevue and Fargo β roughly 24h 1m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1416 mi Β· 24h 1m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β ND
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β ND |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 94, US 2 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | Fargo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 90.871 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 77.324 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 95.654 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 81.142 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 18.2% cheaper overall in Fargo than Bellevue on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
18.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Fargo +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bellevue | Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 41Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | -2Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 24.4" |
Annual temperature drops 11.8Β°F moving to Fargo per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, FARGO 3S, ND US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 129,064 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $66,029 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 32.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 29% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.2 |
Fargo households earn about 18.2% less than Bellevue at the median β $161,300 β $66,029 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fargo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,060 | $45,140 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,080 | $44,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,700 | $37,800 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,330 | $30,550 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,860 | $73,380 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and North Dakota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Dakota's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.8Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in North Dakota after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Fargo more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fargo is 18.2% lower than Bellevue (90.871 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fargo compare to Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,110 in the Fargo MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA, on total employment of 145,680 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Bellevue to Fargo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1416 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fargo, ND from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 1416 mi and the route typically takes 24h 1m via I 90 and I 94. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Bellevue vs Fargo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,029 in Fargo vs $161,300 in Bellevue β a 59.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fargo compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $314,973 in Fargo vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue β a 79.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA Β· Fargo, ND.