Moving from Fargo, ND to Kent, WA
It is 1422 mi between Fargo and Kent β roughly 24h 11m 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.
1422 mi Β· 24h 11m 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, Renton, Bellevue, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fargo | Kent | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Kent is 22.3% more expensive than Fargo on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $314,973 in Fargo to $656,314 in Kent, a 22.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Kent -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 40.1" |
Annual temperature rises 12.4Β°F moving to Kent per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, KENT, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 135,015 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $90,416 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 21.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.89 |
Kent households earn about 22.3% more than Fargo at the median β $66,029 β $90,416 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kent MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Dakota and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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 warmer climate (12.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Kent more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kent is 22.3% higher than Fargo (111.133 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Kent compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Kent MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Kent?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1422 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Kent compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $656,314 in Kent vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 108.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs Kent?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,416 in Kent vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 36.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Kent, WA from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 1422 mi and the route typically takes 24h 11m via I 90 and I 94. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Kent, WA.