Moving from Fargo, ND to West Jordan, UT
The drive from Fargo, ND to West Jordan, UT runs 1128 mi β about 19h 55m 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.
1128 mi Β· 19h 55m by car Β· ND β SD β WY β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | ND β SD β WY β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | WY 789, I 94, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Salt Lake City, Provo, West Valley City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fargo | West Jordan | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 100.868 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 79 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 123.311 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in West Jordan is 11.0% higher than Fargo, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in West Jordan is 11.0% above Fargo β $314,973 vs $561,836 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, West Jordan +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | West Jordan |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | β |
Climate warms by 13.1Β°F on the annual average β 41.4Β°F β 54.5Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, DRAPER-POINT OF MTN, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | West Jordan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 116,277 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $103,960 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 3.2 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 11.0% between Fargo and West Jordan (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Jordan MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 126,170 | $43,640 |
| Management Occupations | 69,550 | $106,250 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 66,590 | $43,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 64,620 | $69,990 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 62,830 | $40,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Dakota and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah'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.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in West Jordan average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is West Jordan, UT from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 1128 mi and the route typically takes 19h 55m via WY 789 and I 94. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in West Jordan compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the West Jordan MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 803,800 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in West Jordan compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $561,836 in West Jordan vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 78.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs West Jordan?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,960 in West Jordan vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 57.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is West Jordan more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Jordan is 11.0% higher than Fargo (100.868 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to West Jordan?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1128 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· West Jordan, UT.