AR to MN Moving Specialists

Arkansas to Minnesota Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 1,036 mile interstate move from Arkansas to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs cooler summers), food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman vs prairie, tudor), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fried Catfish and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Walleye
  • Minnesota housing costs are 63% more expensive than they are in Arkansas
  • Rent in Minnesota is 26.62% more expensive than in Arkansas
  • Moving from Arkansas to Minnesota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Arkansas to Minnesota movers is Metro Movers

Top Arkansas to Minnesota Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Metro Movers featured image

Metro Movers

Best moving company overall for Arkansas to Minnesota

9.51/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
B2 Moving featured image

B2 Moving

9.44/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
General Expert Moving Service LLC featured image

General Expert Moving Service LLC

9.29/10
Exceptional

Arkansas to Minnesota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to Minnesota

ConsArkansas iconArkansas
  • High humidity
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Limited public transit
  • Severe tornadoes
  • Small urban centers
ProsMinnesota iconMinnesota
  • Cooler summers
  • Vibrant arts scene
  • Extensive metro system
  • Less frequent tornadoes
  • Larger cities

Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • Higher expenses
  • Harsh winters
  • Higher taxes
  • Lack of barbecue options
  • Urban sprawl
Arkansas iconArkansas
  • Cost of living
  • Mild winters
  • Lower taxes
  • Southern cuisine
  • Rural beauty

Pros of moving from Arkansas to Minnesota

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to cooler summers
  • Look forward to moving away from fewer cultural events and moving to Minnesota with a vibrant arts scene
  • Swap the limited public transit of Arkansas for an extensive metro system in Minnesota
  • Get ready for less frequent tornadoes in Minnesota

Cons of moving from Arkansas to Minnesota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the cost of living in Arkansas to live with higher expenses in Minnesota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of mild winters and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
  • Time to bid farewell to lower taxes and get used to higher taxes in Minnesota
  • Swap southern cuisine for a lack of barbecue options

Arkansas vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonArkansasMinnesota
Most iconic local food itemFried CatfishHotdish
Most popular meat dishBarbecue RibsWalleye
Most popular street food itemPulled Pork SandwichJuicy Lucy
Most popular vegan foodBlack Bean BurgersWild Rice Burgers
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Matt's Bar
  • Hell's Kitchen
  • Cafe Alma
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Arkansas to Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Pulled Pork Sandwich, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Juicy Lucy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black Bean Burgers they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Burgers of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arkansas eateries like Joe's Barbeque Company, Sonny Williams' Steak Room, and Sim's Barbeque. After the boxes are unpacked in Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Matt's Bar, Hell's Kitchen, and Cafe Alma.

When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Minnesota compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Minnesota.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and Minnesota

ComparisonArkansasMinnesota
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, CraftsmanPrairie, Tudor
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLarge yards, proximity to natureEnergy efficiency, near parks
  • The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Tudor architecture typical of Minnesota.
  • Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to nature, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and being near parks.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Minnesota is more walkable than Arkansas.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Minnesota is more bike-friendly than Arkansas.
  • Minnesota has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
  • Minnesota housing costs are 63% more expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Arkansas’s $203,305.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
  • Rent in Minnesota is 26.62% more expensive than in Arkansas.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and Minnesota

ComparisonArkansasMinnesota
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, FloodsSnowstorms, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)92Β°F / 72Β°F83Β°F / 63Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)51Β°F / 32Β°F23Β°F / 7Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"28-32"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5"36-70"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arkansas to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 9% fewer sunshine days than Arkansas.
  • Minnesota has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arkansas.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Arkansas, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Minnesota.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 9 degrees colder than in Arkansas.
  • The average winter lows are 25 degrees colder than they are in Arkansas.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 22 fewer inches of rain compared to Arkansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and Minnesota

ComparisonArkansasMinnesota
Avg. Household Income$55,432$82,338
Cost of Living Index90.598.75
State Income Tax5.5%9.85%
Avg. Property Tax0.61%1.15%
Avg. Sales Tax6.5%7.875%
Top 3 IndustriesRetail, Agriculture, ManufacturingHealthcare, Manufacturing, Education
AffluenceModestWealthy
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 49% more than in Arkansas
  • The COLI in Minnesota is 9% higher than what you are used to living in Arkansas
  • The state income tax in MN is 9.85% compared to 5.5% in AR
  • The affluence in Minnesota is wealthy compared to modest in Arkansas
  • The poverty level is moderate in Minnesota compared to high in Arkansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Arkansas and moderate in Minnesota

Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. Minnesota

ComparisonArkansasMinnesota
Political Make-upConservativeLiberal
Local PoliticsMore Republican in rural areasMix of Democratic in urban areas and Republican in rural areas
ReligionProtestant majorityLutheran majority
  • Arkansas tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
  • Minnesota's religious environment can be described as a Lutheran majority
  • Arkansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Protestant majority

Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to Minnesota

ComparisonArkansasMinnesota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
University of Minnesota
Minnesota State University
University of St. Thomas
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsVandergriff Elementary - Fayetteville
Baker Interdistrict Elementary - Little Rock
Forest Park Elementary - Little Rock
Scenic Heights Elementary - Minnetonka
Deephaven Elementary - Deephaven
Creek Valley Elementary - Edina
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLisa Academy - Little Rock
Fulbright Junior High - Bentonville
Woodland Junior High - Fayetteville
Wayzata Central Middle School - Plymouth
Minnetonka Middle School East - Minnetonka
Maple Grove Middle School - Maple Grove
Top 3 High SchoolsHaas Hall Academy - Fayetteville
Little Rock Central High School - Little Rock
Bentonville High School - Bentonville
Edina High School - Edina
Minnetonka High School - Minnetonka
Wayzata High School - Plymouth
Top 3 private high schoolsPulaski Academy - Little Rock
Shiloh Christian School - Springdale
Little Rock Christian Academy - Little Rock
Breck School - Golden Valley
Blake School - Minneapolis
St. Paul Academy - St. Paul
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLisa Academy - Little Rock
The New School - Fayetteville
Arkansas Baptist School - Little Rock
Breck School - Golden Valley
Blake School - Minneapolis
Mounds Park Academy - St. Paul
Top 3 School DistrictsBentonville School District
Fayetteville School District
Little Rock School District
Edina Public Schools
Minnetonka Public Schools
Wayzata Public Schools

How Much Do Arkansas to Minnesota Movers Cost?

Moving 1,036 miles from Arkansas to Minnesota will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-6 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,790300 ft3$5.97
1 Bedroom$2,662450 ft3$5.92
2 Bedrooms$4,400750 ft3$5.87
3 Bedrooms$6,3981100 ft3$5.82
4 Bedrooms$9,2261600 ft3$5.77
5+ Bedrooms$10,2891800 ft3$5.72