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Minnesota to Arizona Moving Guide

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Updated August 20, 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 featured image

Top Minnesota to Arizona Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Sterling Interstate LLC featured image

Sterling Interstate LLC

Best moving company overall for Minnesota to Arizona

9.76/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Metro Movers featured image

Metro Movers

9.51/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
AAA Soto's Moving featured image

AAA Soto's Moving

9.48/10
Exceptional

Minnesota to Arizona Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Arizona

ConsMinnesota iconMinnesota
  • Harsh winters
  • High taxes
  • Limited sunshine
  • Mosquitoes
ProsArizona iconArizona
  • Mild winters
  • Lower taxes
  • Abundant sunshine
  • Fewer insects

Arizona iconArizona
  • Arid landscape
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Hot summers
  • Less greenery
Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • 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

ComparisonMinnesotaArizona
Most iconic local food itemHotdishChimichanga
Most popular meat dishWalleyeCarne Asada
Most popular street food itemJuicy LucyElote
Most popular vegan foodGrain BowlsTamales
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pizzeria Bianco
  • El Charro Cafe
  • Durant's
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 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

ComparisonMinnesotaArizona
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, Cape CodPueblo, Ranch
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 listingLakeside view, spacious yardsSwimming 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 Minnesota’s $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

ComparisonMinnesotaArizona
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 DisastersBlizzards, FloodsDust Storms, Wildfires
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)83Β°F / 63Β°F104Β°F / 81Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)23Β°F / 7Β°F67Β°F / 46Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)31.113.6
Annual Snowfall (Inches)540.3
  • 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

ComparisonMinnesotaArizona
Avg. Household Income$82,338$74,568
Cost of Living Index98.75101.2
State Income Tax5.35%4.54%
Avg. Property Tax1.08%0.72%
Avg. Sales Tax7.43%8.40%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Healthcare, RetailReal Estate, Healthcare, Tourism
AffluenceModerateVariable
PovertyLowerHigher
HomelessnessLowerHigher
  • 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

ComparisonMinnesotaArizona
Political Make-upGenerally competitive but leans Democratic in recent statewide and federal races; urban and suburban areas tend to vote Democratic, while many rural areas lean Republican.Historically Republican-leaning but now highly competitive; recent statewide races are close, with urban/suburban areas trending Democratic and many rural areas remaining Republican.
Local PoliticsTwin Cities metro drives policy on transit, climate, labor, and education; greater Minnesota emphasizes agriculture, mining, and small-town priorities; state government is often closely divided.Phoenix metro dominates policy; priorities include water management, growth, public safety, education, and public land use; legislature often Republican-leaning with increasingly competitive statewide offices.
ReligionLarge mainline Protestant and Catholic communities; Lutheran heritage is prominent; growing religiously unaffiliated population; smaller Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu communities.Large Catholic and evangelical Protestant communities; notable Latter-day Saints presence in parts of the state; significant Native American spiritual traditions; growing religiously unaffiliated population; smaller Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu communities.
  • Minnesota tends to lean generally competitive but leans Democratic in recent statewide and federal races; urban and suburban areas tend to vote Democratic while many rural areas lean Republican in its political climate
  • Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as historically Republican-leaning but now highly competitive; recent statewide races are close with urban and suburban areas trending Democratic and many rural areas remaining Republican
  • Arizona's religious environment can be described as having large Catholic and evangelical Protestant communities, a notable Latter-day Saints presence in parts of the state, significant Native American spiritual traditions, a growing religiously unaffiliated population, and smaller Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu communities
  • Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having large mainline Protestant and Catholic communities, a prominent Lutheran heritage, a growing religiously unaffiliated population, and smaller Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu communities

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 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 4-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,205300 ft3$7.35
1 Bedroom$3,285450 ft3$7.30
2 Bedrooms$5,437750 ft3$7.25
3 Bedrooms$7,9191100 ft3$7.20
4 Bedrooms$11,4391600 ft3$7.15
5+ Bedrooms$12,7791800 ft3$7.10