Idaho to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 1,227 mile interstate move from Idaho to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs four distinct seasons), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (ranch vs cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Idaho Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Walleye
- Minnesota housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Minnesota is 3.16% more expensive than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Minnesota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Idaho to Minnesota movers is Metro Movers
Idaho to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Minnesota
- Cold winters
- Limited cultural events
- Rural isolation
- Agricultural economy
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse cultural scene
- Urban conveniences
- Robust tech industry
- Higher living expenses
- Frequent congestion
- Busy urban centers
- Hustle and bustle
- Low cost of living
- Less traffic
- Natural parks
- Quiet surroundings
Pros of moving from Idaho to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to four distinct seasons
- Look forward to moving away from limited cultural events and moving to Minnesota with a diverse cultural scene
- Swap the rural isolation of Idaho for urban conveniences in Minnesota
- Get ready for a robust tech industry in Minnesota
Cons of moving from Idaho to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Idaho to live with higher living expenses in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of less traffic and have to settle for the con of frequent congestion
- Time to bid farewell to natural parks and get used to busy urban centers in Minnesota
- Swap quiet surroundings for the hustle and bustle
Idaho vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Idaho Trout | Walleye |
Most popular street food item | Finger Steaks | Juicy Lucy |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Mushroom Risotto | 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 Idaho to Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Idaho Trout and sumptuous Finger Steaks, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Juicy Lucy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Mushroom Risotto 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 Idaho eateries like The Statehouse, Fork, and Westside Drive-In. 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 Hell's Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Minnesota compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Minnesota
Comparison | Idaho | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, mountain views | Lakeside properties, proximity to parks |
- The Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Cape Cod architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and mountain views, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside properties and proximity to parks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Minnesota is more walkable than Idaho.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Minnesota is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
- Minnesota has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Minnesota housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Idahoβs $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Minnesota is 3.16% more expensive than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Minnesota
Comparison | Idaho | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
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 | Wildfires, Earthquakes | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/43Β°F | 83Β°F/64Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 34Β°F/14Β°F | 23Β°F/7Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 18.9" | 30.1" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 19.2" | 54.0" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Idaho to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 3% fewer sunshine days than Idaho.
- Minnesota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota.
- The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 2 degrees colder than in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees colder than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 11.2 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Minnesota
Comparison | Idaho | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 6.5% | 9.85% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.75% | 1.15% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6.88% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Technology, Manufacturing | Healthcare, Finance, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 13% more than those in Idaho
- The COLI in Minnesota will be 8% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
- The state income tax in MN is 9.85% compared to 6.5% in ID
- The affluence in Minnesota is high compared to moderate affluence in Idaho
- The poverty level is low in Minnesota compared to moderate poverty in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and moderate in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Minnesota
Comparison | Idaho | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Strength |
Religion | Christian, with a significant LDS presence | Christian, Mainly Protestant and Catholic |
- Idaho 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 Christian, mainly Protestant and Catholic
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian, with a significant LDS presence
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Minnesota
Comparison | Idaho | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University University of St. Thomas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Washington Elementary (Boise) Roosevelt Elementary (Boise) Legacy Charter School (Nampa) | Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka) Deephaven Elementary (Minnetonka) Greenwood Elementary (Plymouth) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Star Charter School (Eagle) Lakeside Middle School (Plummer) Heritage Middle School (Meridian) | Wayzata East Middle School (Plymouth) Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) Murray Middle School (St. Paul) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boise High School (Boise) Timberline High School (Boise) Renaissance High School (Meridian) | Edina High School (Edina) Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) Wayzata High School (Plymouth) |
Top 3 private high schools | Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | Breck School (Golden Valley) The Blake School (Minneapolis) St. Paul Academy and Summit School (St. Paul) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) Riverstone International School (Boise) | Breck School (Golden Valley) The Blake School (Minneapolis) St. Paul Academy and Summit School (St. Paul) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise School District West Ada School District Coeur dβAlene School District | Edina Public Schools Minnetonka Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools |
How Much Do Idaho to Minnesota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,227 miles from Idaho 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: 5-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,898 | 300 ft3 | $6.33 |
1 Bedroom | $2,825 | 450 ft3 | $6.28 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,670 | 750 ft3 | $6.23 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,795 | 1100 ft3 | $6.18 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,803 | 1600 ft3 | $6.13 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,939 | 1800 ft3 | $6.08 |
Top Idaho to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.