Minnesota to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 1,768 mile interstate move from Minnesota to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Hotdish vs Chimichanga), real estate & housing (craftsman, cape cod vs pueblo, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Hotdish and Walleye, but get your taste buds ready for Chimichanga & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 30% more expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in Arizona is 14.84% more expensive than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to Arizona will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
- Our top recommended Minnesota to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Minnesota to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Arizona
- Harsh winters
- High taxes
- Limited sunshine
- Mosquitoes
- Mild winters
- Lower taxes
- Abundant sunshine
- Fewer insects
- Arid landscape
- Fewer cultural events
- Hot summers
- Less greenery
- Beautiful lakes
- Vibrant arts scene
- Four seasons
- Friendly communities
Pros of moving from Minnesota to Arizona
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from high taxes and moving to Arizona with lower taxes
- Swap the limited sunshine of Minnesota for abundant sunshine in Arizona
- Get ready for fewer insects in Arizona
Cons of moving from Minnesota to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful lakes in Minnesota to live with an arid landscape in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of a vibrant arts scene and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural events
- Time to bid farewell to four seasons and get used to hot summers in Arizona
- Swap friendly communities for less greenery
Minnesota vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Chimichanga |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Juicy Lucy | Elote |
Most popular vegan food | Grain Bowls | Tamales |
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 Minnesota to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Chimichanga of Arizona. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Juicy Lucy, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Elote to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grain Bowls they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tamales of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, Fitger's Brewhouse, and Mancini's Char House. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro Cafe, and Durant's.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Arizona
Comparison | Minnesota | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Cape Cod | Pueblo, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeside view, spacious yards | Swimming pools, air conditioning |
- The Craftsman and Cape Cod architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Ranch architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside views and spacious yards, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like swimming pools and air conditioning.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Arizona is less walkable than Minnesota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Arizona is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- Arizona has less of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- Arizona housing costs are 30% more expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in Arizona is 14.84% more expensive than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and Arizona
Comparison | Minnesota | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Floods | Dust Storms, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 104Β°F / 81Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 23Β°F / 7Β°F | 67Β°F / 46Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 31.1 | 13.6 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 54 | 0.3 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to Arizona. Arizona gets 51% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in Minnesota, but be on the lookout for potential dust storms and wildfires in Arizona.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 21 degrees warmer than Minnesota.
- The average winter lows are 39 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 17.5 fewer inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Arizona
Comparison | Minnesota | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 5.35% | 4.54% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.08% | 0.72% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.43% | 8.40% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail | Real Estate, Healthcare, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Variable |
Poverty | Lower | Higher |
Homelessness | Lower | Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 9% less than in Minnesota
- The COLI in Arizona will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in AZ is 4.54% compared to 5.35% in MN
- The affluence in Arizona is variable compared to moderate in Minnesota
- The poverty level is higher in Arizona compared to lower in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Minnesota and higher in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Arizona
Comparison | Minnesota | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Largely progressive, especially in urban areas | Mix of conservative and progressive, varies widely by area |
Local Politics | Democratic strongholds in cities like Minneapolis | Swing state dynamics, Phoenix leans conservative |
Religion | Primarily Christian, large Lutheran community | Diverse, significant Catholic and Evangelical communities |
- Minnesota tends to lean largely progressive in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as a mix of conservative and progressive, varying widely by area
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as diverse with significant Catholic and Evangelical communities
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian with a large Lutheran community
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Arizona
Comparison | Minnesota | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University St. Cloud State University | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Deephaven Elementary (Minnetonka) Hale Community School (Minneapolis) Greenwood Elementary (Plymouth) | Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler) BASIS Scottsdale Primary β East Campus Archway Classical Academy Veritas (Phoenix) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Wayzata East Middle School (Plymouth) Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) South View Middle School (Edina) | BASIS Chandler BASIS Peoria BASIS Oro Valley |
Top 3 High Schools | Edina High School (Edina) Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) Wayzata High School (Plymouth) | BASIS Scottsdale BASIS Chandler BASIS Oro Valley |
Top 3 private high schools | The Blake School (Minneapolis) Breck School (Golden Valley) St. Paul Academy and Summit School (St. Paul) | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Blake School (Minneapolis) Breck School (Golden Valley) Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) | Veritas Preparatory Academy (Phoenix) Chandler Preparatory Academy Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public School District Edina Public School District Wayzata Public School District | Chandler Unified School District Scottsdale Unified School District Gilbert Public School District |
How Much Do Minnesota to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 1,768 miles from Minnesota to Arizona will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 4-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,205 | 300 ft3 | $7.35 |
1 Bedroom | $3,285 | 450 ft3 | $7.30 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,437 | 750 ft3 | $7.25 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,919 | 1100 ft3 | $7.20 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,439 | 1600 ft3 | $7.15 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,779 | 1800 ft3 | $7.10 |
Top Minnesota to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Minnesota to Arizona