Moving from Tacoma, WA to Fargo, ND
A move from Tacoma, WA to Fargo, ND covers 1438 mi and around 24h 30m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1438 mi Β· 24h 30m 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 | Kent, Seattle, Renton, Bellevue, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | 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 prices in Fargo are 18.2% below Tacoma β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fargo typical home at $314,973 is 18.2% under Tacoma at $493,840 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Fargo +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 41Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | -2Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 24.4" |
Fargo is 12.3Β°F cooler on the annual average (53.7Β°F vs 41.4Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, FARGO 3S, ND US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 129,064 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $66,029 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 32.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 29% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Fargo is 18.2% below Tacoma ($83,857 vs $66,029, ACS 5-year 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 (12.3Β°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
How far is Fargo, ND from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 1438 mi and the route typically takes 24h 30m 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 Tacoma to Fargo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1438 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 Fargo compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $314,973 in Fargo vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 36.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Fargo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,029 in Fargo vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 21.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fargo more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fargo is 18.2% lower than Tacoma (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 Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,110 in the Fargo MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Fargo, ND.