Moving from Fargo, ND to Spokane Valley, WA
The drive from Fargo, ND to Spokane Valley, WA runs 1136 mi β about 18h 52m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1136 mi Β· 18h 52m by car Β· ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 83 |
| Major cities en route | Billings, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fargo | Spokane Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 100.346 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 91.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 105.028 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 97.059 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.4% pricier overall in Spokane Valley than Fargo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Spokane Valley typical home at $408,888 is 10.4% above Fargo at $314,973 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Spokane Valley +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 17.4" |
Climate warms by 8.4Β°F on the annual average β 41.4Β°F β 49.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 105,460 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $70,722 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.47 |
Income steps up 10.4%: $66,029 in Fargo vs $70,722 in Spokane Valley.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Spokane Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,380 | $46,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,780 | $38,530 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,620 | $44,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,480 | $35,500 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,820 | $95,340 |
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
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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 Spokane Valley more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Spokane Valley is 10.4% higher than Fargo (100.346 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Spokane Valley, WA from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 1136 mi and the route typically takes 18h 52m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs Spokane Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,722 in Spokane Valley vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 7.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Spokane Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1136 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Spokane Valley compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 255,160 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Spokane Valley compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $408,888 in Spokane Valley vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 29.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Spokane Valley, WA.