Movers

DC to Minnesota Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 1,265 mile interstate move from DC to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower living expenses), food & health (like Half-Smoke vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (victorian and colonial vs prairie and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Half-Smoke and Mumbo Sauce Chicken Wings, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Juicy Lucy Burger
  • Minnesota housing costs are 47% less expensive than they are in DC
  • Rent in Minnesota is 30.55% more affordable than in DC
  • Moving from DC to Minnesota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended DC to Minnesota movers is Bookstore Movers

DC to Minnesota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Minnesota

ConsDC iconDC
  • High cost of living
  • Traffic congestion
  • Limited natural scenery
  • Dense population
  • Humid summers
ProsMinnesota iconMinnesota
  • Lower living expenses
  • Smoother commutes
  • Rich outdoor spaces
  • More open space
  • Cooler summers

Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • Fewer historical sites
  • Less iconic landmarks
  • Fewer restaurant choices
  • Quieter nightlife
  • Less political activity
DC iconDC
  • Rich history
  • Iconic landmarks
  • Diverse restaurants
  • Vibrant nightlife
  • Political epicenter

Pros of moving from DC to Minnesota

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower living expenses
  • Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Minnesota with smoother commutes
  • Swap the limited natural scenery of DC for rich outdoor spaces in Minnesota
  • Get ready for more open space in Minnesota

Cons of moving from DC to Minnesota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich history in DC to live with fewer historical sites in Minnesota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of iconic landmarks and have to settle for the con of less iconic landmarks
  • Time to bid farewell to diverse restaurants and get used to fewer restaurant choices in Minnesota
  • Swap vibrant nightlife for quieter nightlife

DC vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonDCMinnesota
Most iconic local food itemHalf-SmokeHotdish
Most popular meat dishMumbo Sauce Chicken WingsJuicy Lucy Burger
Most popular street food itemKorean BBQ TacosWild Rice Soup
Most popular vegan foodChickpea Salad SandwichVegan Hotdish
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Zaytinya
  • Rose's Luxury
  • Matt's Bar
  • Spoon and Stable
  • Canal Park Brewery
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 DC to Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Half-Smoke of DC for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo Sauce Chicken Wings and sumptuous Korean BBQ Tacos, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Juicy Lucy Burgers and Wild Rice Soup to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Chickpea Salad Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Hotdish of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rose's Luxury. 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, Spoon and Stable, and Canal Park Brewery.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Minnesota

ComparisonDCMinnesota
Typical Architecture StyleVictorian and ColonialPrairie and Craftsman
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 listingProximity to Metro, Historic CharmLakeside Views, Spacious Yards
  • The Victorian and Colonial architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Craftsman architecture typical of Minnesota.
  • Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to metro and historic charm, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside views and spacious yards.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Minnesota is less walkable than DC.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Minnesota is less bike-friendly than DC.
  • Minnesota has less of an urban feel than DC.
  • Minnesota housing costs are 47% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to DC’s $619,320.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
  • Rent in Minnesota is 30.55% more affordable than in DC.

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

ComparisonDCMinnesota
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 DisastersHurricanes, FloodingBlizzards, Tornadoes
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/7183/63
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47/2924/7
Annual Rainfall (Inches)40.7430.21
Annual Snowfall (Inches)15.554
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from DC to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 2% fewer sunshine days than DC.
  • Minnesota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to DC.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and flooding in DC, 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 6 degrees cooler than in DC.
  • The average winter lows are 22 degrees colder than they are in DC.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 10.5 fewer inches of rain compared to DC.

Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Minnesota

ComparisonDCMinnesota
Avg. Household Income$101,027$82,338
Cost of Living Index140.198.75
State Income Tax6-8.955.35-9.85
Avg. Property Tax0.561.02
Avg. Sales Tax6.007.40
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Professional, EducationHealthcare, Manufacturing, Retail
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessNoticeableLess Noticeable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 18% less than in DC
  • The COLI in Minnesota will be 30% lower than what you are used to living in DC
  • The state income tax in MN is 5.35-9.85 compared to 6-8.95 in DC
  • The affluence in Minnesota is moderate compared to high in DC
  • The poverty level is low in Minnesota compared to moderate in DC
  • In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in DC and less noticeable in Minnesota

Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Minnesota

ComparisonDCMinnesota
Political Make-upHeavily DemocraticDemocratic-leaning with mixed rural and urban views
Local PoliticsFocus on federal government influence and local governance issuesEmphasis on education, healthcare, and environmental policies
ReligionPluralistic, with a significant Christian populationDiverse, with a strong Christian majority but increasing diversity
  • DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
  • Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as Democratic-leaning with mixed rural and urban views
  • Minnesota's religious environment can be described as diverse with a strong Christian majority but increasing diversity
  • DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as pluralistic with a significant Christian population

Education Guide When Moving from DC to Minnesota

ComparisonDCMinnesota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maryland
George Washington University
Howard University
University of Minnesota
Minnesota State University
University of St. Thomas
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMann Elementary
Hyde-Addison Elementary
Janney Elementary
Scenic Heights Elementary
Deephaven Elementary
Greenwood Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDeal Middle School
Hardy Middle School
Eliot-Hine Middle School
Minnetonka Middle School East
Wayzata Central Middle School
Eden Prairie Central Middle School
Top 3 High SchoolsWilson High School
School Without Walls High School
Banneker High School
Edina High School
Minnetonka High School
Wayzata High School
Top 3 private high schoolsSidwell Friends School
Georgetown Day School
National Cathedral School
Breck School
The Blake School
Saint Thomas Academy
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsMaret School
St. Albans School
Georgetown Preparatory School
Breck School
The Blake School
Minnehaha Academy
Top 3 School DistrictsDC Public SchoolsWayzata Public Schools
Eden Prairie Schools
Minnetonka Public Schools

How Much Do DC to Minnesota Movers Cost?

Moving 1,265 miles from DC to Minnesota will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-6 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,920300 ft3$6.40
1 Bedroom$2,857450 ft3$6.35
2 Bedrooms$4,724750 ft3$6.30
3 Bedrooms$6,8741100 ft3$6.25
4 Bedrooms$9,9181600 ft3$6.20
5+ Bedrooms$11,0681800 ft3$6.15

Top DC to Minnesota Movers

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

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for DC to Minnesota

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Metro Movers featured image

Metro Movers

9.51/10
ExceptionalView details