Minnesota to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 959 mile interstate move from Minnesota to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like frigid winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Hotdish vs Fried Chicken), real estate & housing (craftsman, modern farmhouse vs colonial, cape cod), 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 Fried Chicken & Bourbon BBQ Pork
- Kentucky housing costs are 39% less expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in Kentucky is 21.44% more affordable than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to Kentucky will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Minnesota to Kentucky movers is Metro Movers
Minnesota to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Kentucky
- Frigid winters
- High cost of living
- Limited bourbon selection
- Few horse farms
- Distance to Appalachian areas
- Milder winters
- Affordable housing
- Bourbon trail tours
- Thoroughbred culture
- Close to Appalachians
- Less water recreation
- Smaller fairs
- Fewer job options
- Varying school quality
- Less bike-friendly
- Lakes and rivers
- Minnesota State Fair
- Job opportunities
- Strong school systems
- Active biking community
Pros of moving from Minnesota to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to frigid winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Kentucky with affordable housing
- Swap the limited bourbon selection of Minnesota for bourbon trail tours in Kentucky
- Get ready for thoroughbred culture in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Minnesota to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lakes and rivers in Minnesota to live with less water recreation in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of the Minnesota State Fair and have to settle with the con of smaller fairs
- Time to bid farewell to job opportunities and get used to fewer job options in Kentucky
- Swap strong school systems for varying school quality
Minnesota vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Fried Chicken |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Bourbon BBQ Pork |
Most popular street food item | Juicy Lucy Burger | Hot Brown Slider |
Most popular vegan food | Grain Bowls | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Fried Chicken of Kentucky. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Juicy Lucy Burger, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Bourbon BBQ Pork and Hot Brown Slider 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 BBQ Jackfruit of Kentucky. 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 Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like Wallace Station, Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, and Ramsi's Cafe on the World.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky, compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Kentucky
Comparison | Minnesota | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Modern Farmhouse | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Wooded lots | Horse property, Historic homes |
- The Craftsman and Modern Farmhouse architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and wooded lots, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like horse property and historic homes.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kentucky is less walkable than Minnesota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kentucky is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- Kentucky housing costs are 39% less expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in Kentucky is 21.44% more affordable than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and Kentucky
Comparison | Minnesota | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83/63 | 87/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24/-6 | 44/28 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 55 | 22 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Minnesota to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Minnesota.
- Kentucky has similar 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 tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 4 degrees warmer than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows are 34 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 15 more inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Kentucky
Comparison | Minnesota | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.35% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.15% | 0.85% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.4% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Prosperous | Stable |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Managed | Concerning |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 28% less than in Minnesota
- The COLI in Kentucky will be 11% lower than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in KY is 5% compared to 5.35% in MN
- The affluence in Kentucky is stable compared to prosperous in Minnesota
- The poverty level is higher in Kentucky compared to moderate in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is managed in Minnesota and concerning in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Minnesota | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-Leaning | Republican-Leaning |
Local Politics | Liberal in urban areas | Conservative statewide |
Religion | Mainly Protestant & Catholic | Primarily Protestant |
- Minnesota tends to lean Democratic-Leaning in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as Republican-Leaning
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mainly Protestant and Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Kentucky
Comparison | Minnesota | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota University of St. Thomas Minneapolis College | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Eastern Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka) Deephaven Elementary (Deephaven) Creek Valley Elementary (Edina) | Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington) Beechwood Elementary (Fort Mitchell) Greathouse Shryock Traditional (Louisville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) Wayzata East Middle School (Plymouth) Eden Prairie Central Middle School (Eden Prairie) | Beechwood Middle School (Fort Mitchell) Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville) Highlands Middle School (Fort Thomas) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) Eden Prairie High School (Eden Prairie) Edina High School (Edina) | DuPont Manual High School (Louisville) Highlands High School (Fort Thomas) Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell) |
Top 3 private high schools | Breck School (Golden Valley) The Blake School (Minneapolis) St. Paul Academy and Summit School (Saint Paul) | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) Trinity High School (Louisville) St. Xavier High School (Louisville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Blake School (Minneapolis) Breck School (Golden Valley) Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) | The Lexington School (Lexington) Kentucky Country Day School (Louisville) Sayre School (Lexington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public School District Eden Prairie School District Edina Public School District | Fayette County Public Schools Jefferson County Public Schools Kenton County School District |
How Much Do Minnesota to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 959 miles from Minnesota to Kentucky 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 | $1,746 | 300 ft3 | $5.82 |
1 Bedroom | $2,597 | 450 ft3 | $5.77 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,290 | 750 ft3 | $5.72 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,238 | 1100 ft3 | $5.67 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,993 | 1600 ft3 | $5.62 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,027 | 1800 ft3 | $5.57 |
Top Minnesota to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.