Moving from Kent, WA to Fargo, ND
Relocating 1422 mi from Kent to Fargo is a 24h 11m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
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
| Kent | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 18.2% moving from Kent to Fargo β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $656,314 in Kent to $314,973 in Fargo, a 18.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Fargo +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 41Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | -2Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 24.4" |
Expect 12.4Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, FARGO 3S, ND US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 129,064 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $66,029 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 32.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 29% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.2 |
Expect median household income to fall 18.2% β $90,416 β $66,029 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 (12.4Β°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 Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fargo is 18.2% lower than Kent (90.871 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fargo, ND from Kent, WA?
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.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Fargo?
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 does household income compare in Kent vs Fargo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,029 in Fargo vs $90,416 in Kent β a 27.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fargo compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $314,973 in Fargo vs $656,314 in Kent β a 52.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fargo compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,110 in the Fargo MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Fargo, ND.