Massachusetts to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 1,540 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable homes), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs prairie, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Clam Chowder and Lobster Roll, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Walleye
- Minnesota housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
- Rent in Minnesota is 34.36% more affordable than in Massachusetts
- Moving from Massachusetts to Minnesota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Massachusetts to Minnesota movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Massachusetts to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to Minnesota
- High cost of living
- Dense traffic
- Harsh winters
- Limited parking
- More affordable homes
- Lighter traffic
- Clearer skies
- Ample parking
- Less diverse
- Limited transit options
- Fewer landmarks
- No ocean access
- Cultural diversity
- Robust public transit
- Historical landmarks
- Ocean proximity
Pros of moving from Massachusetts to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable homes
- Look forward to moving away from the dense traffic and moving to Minnesota with lighter traffic
- Swap the harsh winters of Massachusetts for clearer skies in Minnesota
- Get ready for ample parking in Minnesota
Cons of moving from Massachusetts to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in Massachusetts to live with less diversity in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of robust public transit and have to settle for the con of limited transit options
- Time to bid farewell to historical landmarks and get used to fewer landmarks in Minnesota
- Swap ocean proximity for no ocean access
Massachusetts vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Massachusetts | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster Roll | Walleye |
Most popular street food item | Italian Sausage | Juicy Lucy |
Most popular vegan food | Beyond Sushi | Vegan 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 Massachusetts to Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Lobster Roll and sumptuous Italian Sausage, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Juicy Lucy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Beyond Sushi they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Wild Rice Soup of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Massachusetts eateries like Legal Sea Foods, Union Oyster House, and No. 9 Park. 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, Murray's, and Hell's Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Minnesota, compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and Minnesota
Comparison | Massachusetts | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Prairie, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Access to public transportation, historic details | Access to lakes, energy efficiency |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Craftsman architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference access to public transportation and historic details, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like access to lakes and energy efficiency.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Minnesota is less walkable than Massachusetts.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Minnesota is more bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
- Minnesota has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
- Minnesota housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Massachusettsβs $612,509.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
- Rent in Minnesota is 34.36% more affordable than in Massachusetts.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and Minnesota
Comparison | Massachusetts | 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 | Nor'easters, Blizzards | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 60Β°F | 83Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 22Β°F | 24Β°F / 7Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47.7 | 30.3 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51 | 54 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Massachusetts to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 1% fewer sunshine days than Massachusetts.
- Minnesota has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Massachusetts.
- Say goodbye to the possible nor'easters and blizzards in Massachusetts, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Minnesota.
- The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 3 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
- The average winter lows in Minnesota are 15 degrees colder than they are in Massachusetts.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 17.4 fewer inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and Minnesota
Comparison | Massachusetts | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 5.0% | 5.35% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.23% | 1.05% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25% | 6.875% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Education, Finance | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Very Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 13% less than in Massachusetts
- The COLI in Minnesota will be 19% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
- The state income tax in MN is 5.35% compared to 5.0% in MA
- The affluence in Minnesota is moderate compared to high in Massachusetts
- The poverty level is very low in Minnesota compared to low in Massachusetts
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Massachusetts and low in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. Minnesota
Comparison | Massachusetts | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Liberal/Democratic |
Local Politics | Strong Democratic lean in urban areas | Liberal urban areas with conservative rural reality |
Religion | Catholic and Protestant presence | Lutheran and Catholic presence |
- Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal/Democratic
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as having a Lutheran and Catholic presence
- Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a Catholic and Protestant presence
Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to Minnesota
Comparison | Massachusetts | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Harvard University MIT Tufts University | University of Minnesota Carleton College Macalester College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Thompson Elementary (Arlington) Brackett Elementary (Arlington) Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester) | St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower (Stillwater) Yinghua Academy (Minneapolis) Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington) Boston Latin School (Boston) | Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) St. Croix Preparatory Academy Middle (Stillwater) Wayzata Central Middle School (Plymouth) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High School (Lexington) Brookline High School (Brookline) | Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) Wayzata High School (Plymouth) Edina High School (Edina) |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy (Andover) Milton Academy (Milton) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) | Breck School (Minneapolis) The Blake School (Minneapolis) The Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Boston University Academy (Boston) The Cambridge School of Weston (Weston) Commonwealth School (Boston) | Breck School (Minneapolis) The Blake School (Minneapolis) Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lexington Newton Wellesley | Edina Wayzata Minnetonka |
How Much Do Massachusetts to Minnesota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,540 miles from Massachusetts to Minnesota will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,076 | 300 ft3 | $6.92 |
1 Bedroom | $3,091 | 450 ft3 | $6.87 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,114 | 750 ft3 | $6.82 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,445 | 1100 ft3 | $6.77 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,750 | 1600 ft3 | $6.72 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,003 | 1800 ft3 | $6.67 |
Top Massachusetts to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to Minnesota