Arizona to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 1,768 mile interstate move from Arizona to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme heat vs crisp, cool summers), food & health (like Chimichanga vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (spanish colonial, ranch vs victorian, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chimichanga and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Walleye
- Minnesota housing costs are 23% less expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in Minnesota is 12.92% more affordable than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to Minnesota will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
- Our top recommended Arizona to Minnesota movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to Minnesota
- Extreme heat
- Drought conditions
- Scarce greenery
- Limited snowfall
- Crisp, cool summers
- Abundant lakes and water
- Lush forests and parks
- Winter sports opportunities
- Long, harsh winters
- Fewer desert landscapes
- High heating bills
- Seasonal limitations
- Sunshine year-round
- Desert scenery
- Low heating costs
- Year-round hiking
Pros of moving from Arizona to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to extreme heat and hello to crisp, cool summers
- Look forward to moving away from drought conditions and moving to Minnesota with abundant lakes and water
- Swap the scarce greenery of Arizona for lush forests and parks in Minnesota
- Get ready for winter sports opportunities in Minnesota
Cons of moving from Arizona to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from sunshine year-round in Arizona to live with long, harsh winters in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of desert scenery and have to settle with the con of fewer desert landscapes
- Time to bid farewell to low heating costs and get used to high heating bills in Minnesota
- Swap year-round hiking for seasonal limitations
Arizona vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Walleye |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Juicy Lucy Burger |
Most popular vegan food | Prickly Pear Margarita | Wild Rice Soup |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Arizona to Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Tacos, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Juicy Lucy Burger to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Prickly Pear Margarita they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Soup of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and Durant's. After the boxes are unpacked in Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Spoon and Stable, Matt's Bar, and The Bachelor Farmer.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Minnesota compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and Minnesota
Comparison | Arizona | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial, Ranch | Victorian, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Pools, desert landscapes | Lakeside access, green spaces |
- The Spanish Colonial and Ranch architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Craftsman architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference pools and desert landscapes, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside access and green spaces.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Minnesota is more walkable than Arizona.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Minnesota is more bike-friendly than Arizona.
- Minnesota has more of an urban feel than Arizona.
- Minnesota housing costs are 23% less expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in Minnesota is 12.92% more affordable than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and Minnesota
Comparison | Arizona | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | 299 days | 198 days |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Droughts, Heatwaves | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 106Β°F / 83Β°F | 83Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 67Β°F / 46Β°F | 23Β°F / 7Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13 inches | 34 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 inches | 54 inches |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 34% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- Minnesota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible droughts and heatwaves in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 23 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 39 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 21 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and Minnesota
Comparison | Arizona | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 2.59% - 4.50% | 5.35% - 9.85% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.66% | 1.06% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.40% | 7.46% |
Top 3 Industries | Real Estate, Health Care, Construction | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | High | Low |
Homelessness | Significant | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 10% more than in Arizona
- The COLI in Minnesota is 2% lower than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in MN is 5.35% to 9.85% compared to 2.59% to 4.50% in AZ
- The affluence in Minnesota is high compared to moderate in Arizona
- The poverty level is low in Minnesota compared to high in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Arizona and moderate in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. Minnesota
Comparison | Arizona | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, trending purple | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | State Governor, significant urban-rural divide | State Governor, strong union presence |
Religion | Christian majority, diverse religious communities | Christian majority, high Lutheran representation |
- Arizona tends to lean mixed, trending purple in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as having a Christian majority with high Lutheran representation
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a Christian majority and diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to Minnesota
Comparison | Arizona | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University University of St. Thomas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Knox Gifted Academy - Chandler BASIS Scottsdale Primary - Scottsdale Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies - Mesa | Scenic Heights Elementary - Minnetonka Greenwood Elementary - Plymouth Deephaven Elementary - Deephaven |
Top 3 Middle Schools | BASIS Scottsdale - Scottsdale BASIS Chandler - Chandler BASIS Tucson North - Tucson | Wayzata Central Middle School - Plymouth Minnetonka Middle School East - Minnetonka St. Croix Preparatory Academy Middle School - Stillwater |
Top 3 High School Schools | BASIS Chandler - Chandler BASIS Scottsdale - Scottsdale BASIS Tucson North - Tucson | Minnetonka High School - Minnetonka Edina High School - Edina Wayzata High School - Plymouth |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory - Phoenix Xavier College Preparatory - Phoenix The Gregory School - Tucson | Breck School - Minneapolis Blake School - Minneapolis St. Paul Academy - St. Paul |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Rancho Solano Preparatory School - Scottsdale The Gregory School - Tucson Verde Valley School - Sedona | Breck School - Minneapolis Blake School - Minneapolis Mounds Park Academy - St. Paul |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools | Minnetonka Public Schools Eden Prairie Schools Edina Public Schools |
How Much Do Arizona to Minnesota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,768 miles from Arizona to Minnesota will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 4-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,205 | 300 ft3 | $7.35 |
1 Bedroom | $3,285 | 450 ft3 | $7.30 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,437 | 750 ft3 | $7.25 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,919 | 1100 ft3 | $7.20 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,439 | 1600 ft3 | $7.15 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,779 | 1800 ft3 | $7.10 |
Top Arizona to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to Minnesota