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Kentucky to Minnesota Moving Guide

Updated June 3, 2025

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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

ConsKentucky iconKentucky
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Severe thunderstorms
  • Limited winter activities
  • Sector-specific economy
ProsMinnesota iconMinnesota
  • Cooler summer temperatures
  • Less severe weather
  • Vast winter sports options
  • Diverse job market

Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • Harsh, long winters
  • Higher cost of living
  • Heavier traffic in cities
  • Less historical depth
Kentucky iconKentucky
  • 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

ComparisonKentuckyMinnesota
Most iconic local food itemFried ChickenHotdish
Most popular meat dishBarbecue RibsWalleye
Most popular street food itemHot BrownsJuicy Lucy
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitWild Rice Soup
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Spoon and Stable
  • Matt’s Bar
  • Smack Shack
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 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 Clark’s Kentucky, Ramsey’s Diner, and The Bard’s 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, Matt’s 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

ComparisonKentuckyMinnesota
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, CraftsmanPrairie Style, Modern
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, privacyEco-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 Kentucky’s $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

ComparisonKentuckyMinnesota
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, FloodsBlizzards, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F/66Β°F83Β°F/62Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)44Β°F/27Β°F23Β°F/7Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4832
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1155
  • 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

ComparisonKentuckyMinnesota
Avg. Household Income$59,341$82,338
Cost of Living Index87.898.75
State Income Tax5%6.8%
Avg. Property Tax0.88%1.08%
Avg. Sales Tax6%7.5%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, HealthcareManufacturing, Finance, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessManageableControlled
  • 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

ComparisonKentuckyMinnesota
Political Make-upLean ConservativeLean Liberal
Local PoliticsRepublican Dominance in LegislatureDemocratic Dominance in Legislature
ReligionChristian Majority, with a strong representation of the Baptist denominationDiverse, 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

ComparisonKentuckyMinnesota
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 SchoolsAshland Elementary (Lexington)
Brandeis Elementary (Louisville)
Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington)
Deephaven Elementary (Minnetonka)
Excelsior Elementary (Excelsior)
Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWinburn 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 SchoolsDuPont 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 schoolsSacred 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 schoolsSayre School (Lexington)
The Lexington School (Lexington)
Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville)
Breck School (Golden Valley)
Blake School (Minneapolis)
Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis)
Top 3 School DistrictsOldham 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,747300 ft3$5.82
1 Bedroom$2,598450 ft3$5.77
2 Bedrooms$4,293750 ft3$5.72
3 Bedrooms$6,2421100 ft3$5.67
4 Bedrooms$8,9991600 ft3$5.62
5+ Bedrooms$10,0341800 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.

TOP PICK
Metro Movers featured image

Metro Movers

Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Minnesota

9.51/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
General Expert Moving Service LLC featured image

General Expert Moving Service LLC

9.29/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
From Here to There featured image

From Here to There

9.16/10
ExceptionalView details