Kentucky to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 961 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs cooler summer temperatures), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs prairie style, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Walleye
- Minnesota housing costs are 64% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Minnesota is 27.29% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Minnesota will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Minnesota movers is Metro Movers
Kentucky to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Minnesota
- Hot, humid summers
- Severe thunderstorms
- Limited winter activities
- Sector-specific economy
- Cooler summer temperatures
- Less severe weather
- Vast winter sports options
- Diverse job market
- Harsh, long winters
- Higher cost of living
- Heavier traffic in cities
- Less historical depth
- Mild winters
- Lower cost of living
- Smooth transportation
- Rich history
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to cooler summer temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from severe thunderstorms and moving to Minnesota with less severe weather
- Swap the limited winter activities of Kentucky for vast winter sports options in Minnesota
- Get ready for a diverse job market in Minnesota
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in Kentucky to live with harsh, long winters in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle for the con of a higher cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to smooth transportation and get used to heavier traffic in cities in Minnesota
- Swap rich history for less historical depth
Kentucky vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue Ribs | Walleye |
Most popular street food item | Hot Browns | Juicy Lucy |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | 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 Kentucky to Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Hot Browns, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Juicy Lucy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit 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 Kentucky eateries like Clarkβs Kentucky, Ramseyβs Diner, and The Bardβs Town. 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, Mattβs Bar, and Smack Shack.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Minnesota compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Minnesota
Comparison | Kentucky | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Prairie Style, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, privacy | Eco-friendly features, proximity to lakes |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Prairie Style and Modern architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly designs and proximity to lakes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Minnesota is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Minnesota is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Minnesota has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Minnesota housing costs are 64% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Minnesota is 27.29% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Minnesota
Comparison | Kentucky | 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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F/66Β°F | 83Β°F/62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 44Β°F/27Β°F | 23Β°F/7Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 48 | 32 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 11 | 55 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 2% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Minnesota has similar humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, 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 4 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 20 degrees colder than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 16 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Minnesota
Comparison | Kentucky | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 6.8% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.88% | 1.08% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 7.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Manufacturing, Finance, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Manageable | Controlled |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 39% more than in Kentucky
- The COLI in Minnesota will be 12% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in MN is 6.8% compared to 5% in KY
- The affluence in Minnesota is high compared to moderate in Kentucky
- The poverty level is low in Minnesota compared to moderate in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Kentucky and controlled in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Minnesota
Comparison | Kentucky | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance in Legislature | Democratic Dominance in Legislature |
Religion | Christian Majority, with a strong representation of the Baptist denomination | Diverse, with a higher presence of Lutheran and Catholic communities |
- Kentucky tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a higher presence of Lutheran and Catholic communities
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian Majority, with a strong representation of the Baptist denomination
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Minnesota
Comparison | Kentucky | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University University of St. Thomas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Ashland Elementary (Lexington) Brandeis Elementary (Louisville) Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington) | Deephaven Elementary (Minnetonka) Excelsior Elementary (Excelsior) Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Winburn Middle School (Lexington) Barrett Traditional Middle School (Louisville) North Middle School (Henderson) | Wayzata East Middle School (Plymouth) Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) Mahtomedi Middle School (Mahtomedi) |
Top 3 High Schools | DuPont Manual High (Louisville) Gatton Academy (Bowling Green) Highlands High (Fort Thomas) | Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) Edina High School (Edina) Wayzata High School (Plymouth) |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) St. Xavier High School (Louisville) Lexington Catholic High School (Lexington) | Breck School (Golden Valley) Blake School (Minneapolis) St. Paul Academy (St. Paul) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sayre School (Lexington) The Lexington School (Lexington) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) | Breck School (Golden Valley) Blake School (Minneapolis) Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) |
Top 3 School Districts | Oldham County Schools Boone County Schools Fayette County Public Schools | Minnetonka Public Schools Edina Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools |
How Much Do Kentucky to Minnesota Movers Cost?
Moving 961 miles from Kentucky to Minnesota will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,747 | 300 ft3 | $5.82 |
1 Bedroom | $2,598 | 450 ft3 | $5.77 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,293 | 750 ft3 | $5.72 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,242 | 1100 ft3 | $5.67 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,999 | 1600 ft3 | $5.62 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,034 | 1800 ft3 | $5.57 |
Top Kentucky to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.