Minnesota to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 1,227 mile interstate move from Minnesota to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Hotdish vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (craftsman, rambler vs ranch, craftsman), 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 Idaho Potatoes & Idaho Trout
- Idaho housing costs are 36% more expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in Idaho is 3.06% more affordable than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to Idaho will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Minnesota to Idaho movers is Metro Movers
Minnesota to Idaho Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Idaho
- Harsh winters
- High traffic congestion
- Expensive housing
- High taxes
- Limited outdoor space
- Milder climate
- Lower traffic
- Affordable housing
- Lower taxes
- Abundant nature
- Limited arts
- Fewer restaurants
- More rural areas
- Limited transit
- Fewer sports teams
- Thriving arts scene
- Diverse dining options
- Vibrant urban spaces
- Robust public transit
- Multiple professional sports
Pros of moving from Minnesota to Idaho
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from high traffic congestion and moving to Idaho with lower traffic
- Swap the expensive housing of Minnesota for affordable housing in Idaho
- Get ready for lower taxes in Idaho
Cons of moving from Minnesota to Idaho
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a thriving arts scene in Minnesota to live with limited arts in Idaho
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse dining options and have to settle for the con of fewer restaurants
- Time to bid farewell to vibrant urban spaces and get used to more rural areas in Idaho
- Swap robust public transit for limited transit
Minnesota vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Idaho Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Idaho Trout |
Most popular street food item | Juicy Lucy | Boise Fry Company Fries |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Soup | Quinoa salads |
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 Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Idaho Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Juicy Lucy, Idaho residents know they have tasty Idaho Trout and Boise Fry Company Fries to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa salads of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, Spoon and Stable, and The Bachelor Farmer. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Boise Fry Company, State and Lemp, and The Chocolat Bar.
When comparing lifestyles, Idaho shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Idaho compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Idaho.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Idaho
Comparison | Minnesota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Rambler | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Close to lakes, Large yards | Mountain views, Spacious lots |
- The Craftsman and Rambler architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Idaho.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to lakes and large yards, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and spacious lots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away, as Idaho is less walkable than Minnesota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike, as Idaho is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- Idaho has less of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- Idaho housing costs are 36% more expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in Idaho have increased 69% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in Idaho is 3.06% more affordable than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and Idaho
Comparison | Minnesota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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, Tornadoes | Wildfires, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 85Β°F / 53Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F / 7Β°F | 37Β°F / 19Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30.21 | 12.92 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 52 | 60 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to Idaho. Idaho gets 4% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
- Idaho has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
- The average summer high temperature in Idaho is 2 degrees warmer than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows are 12 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 17.3 fewer inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Idaho
Comparison | Minnesota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 5.35% - 9.85% | 1.125% - 6.925% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.05% | 0.69% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.46% | 6.03% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture | Agriculture, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Average |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 12% less than those in Minnesota
- The COLI in Idaho is 7% lower than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in Idaho is 1.125% - 6.925% compared to 5.35% - 9.85% in Minnesota
- The affluence in Idaho is average compared to moderate in Minnesota
- The poverty level is low in Idaho compared to moderate in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Minnesota and low in Idaho
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Idaho
Comparison | Minnesota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leans Democratic | Conservative, leans Republican |
Local Politics | Varies, urban areas more liberal | Primarily conservative |
Religion | Lutheran, Catholic | LDS (Mormon), Catholic, Protestant |
- Minnesota tends to lean mixed and leans Democratic in its political climate
- Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as conservative and leans Republican
- Idaho's religious environment can be described as LDS (Mormon), Catholic and Protestant
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Lutheran and Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Idaho
Comparison | Minnesota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota St. Olaf College Carleton College | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Deephaven Elementary (Minnetonka) Highlands Elementary (Edina) Greenwood Elementary (Plymouth) | Longfellow Elementary (Boise) Washington Elementary (Boise) Roosevelt Elementary (Boise) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Wayzata Central Middle School (Plymouth) Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) St. Paul Preparatory School (St. Paul) | North Junior High (Boise) Les Bois Junior High (Boise) Anser Charter School (Garden City) |
Top 3 High Schools | Edina High School (Edina) Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) Wayzata High School (Plymouth) | Boise High School (Boise) Timberline High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene High School (Coeur d'Alene) |
Top 3 private high schools | Breck School (Minneapolis) The Blake School (Minneapolis) St. Paul Academy (St. Paul) | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Mounds Park Academy (St. Paul) Breck School (Minneapolis) The Blake School (Minneapolis) | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Riverstone International School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public Schools Edina Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools | Boise School District Blaine County School District Coeur d'Alene School District |
How Much Do Minnesota to Idaho Movers Cost?
Moving 1,227 miles from Minnesota to Idaho 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 Minnesota to Idaho Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to Idaho movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.