Minnesota to Montana Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 801 mile interstate move from Minnesota to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Hotdish vs Huckleberry Pie), real estate & housing (prairie, victorian vs rustic, mountain modern), 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 Huckleberry Pie & Bison Steak
- Montana housing costs are 38% more expensive than those in Minnesota
- Rent in Montana is 15.43% more affordable than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to Montana will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Minnesota to Montana movers is Metro Movers
Minnesota to Montana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Montana
- Harsh winters
- High taxes
- Urban congestion
- Expensive housing
- Lack of mountains
- Milder winters
- Lower taxes
- Less crowded
- Affordable housing
- Mountainous scenery
- Limited job market
- Fewer cultural events
- Sparsely located schools
- Fewer lakes
- Fewer restaurants
- Vibrant economy
- Rich culture
- Good public schools
- Extensive lake system
- Diverse dining
Pros of moving from Minnesota to Montana
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from high taxes and moving to Montana with lower taxes
- Swap the urban congestion of Minnesota for less crowded areas in Montana
- Get ready for affordable housing in Montana
Cons of moving from Minnesota to Montana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a vibrant economy in Minnesota to live with a limited job market in Montana
- You'll lose out on the pro of a rich culture and have to settle with the con of fewer cultural events
- Time to bid farewell to good public schools and get used to sparsely located schools in Montana
- Swap an extensive lake system for fewer lakes
Minnesota vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | Montana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Huckleberry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Juicy Lucy | Elk Burgers |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Soup | Lentil Burgers |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Huckleberry Pie of Montana. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Juicy Lucy, Montana residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Elk Burgers 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 Lentil Burgers of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, Al's Breakfast, and The Bachelor Farmer. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like The Huckleberry Patch, Montana Ale Works, and Double Front Cafe.
When comparing lifestyles, Montana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Montana compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Montana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Montana
Comparison | Minnesota | Montana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie, Victorian | Rustic, Mountain Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Energy efficiency | Mountain views, Proximity to outdoor recreation |
- The Prairie and Victorian architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Rustic and Mountain Modern architecture typical of Montana.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and energy efficiency, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and proximity to outdoor recreation.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Montana is less walkable than Minnesota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Montana is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- Montana has less of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- Montana housing costs are 38% more expensive than those in Minnesota, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in Montana is 15.43% more affordable than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and Montana
Comparison | Minnesota | Montana |
---|---|---|
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, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83/63 | 85/50 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24/7 | 34/17 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 | 15 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 54 | 67 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to Montana. Montana gets 4% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
- Montana 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 floods in Montana.
- The average summer high temperature in Montana is 2 degrees warmer than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows in Montana are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 17 fewer inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Montana
Comparison | Minnesota | Montana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $67,631 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 99.4 |
State Income Tax | 5.35% - 9.85% | No State Income Tax |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.08% | 0.76% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.47% | 0% - 3% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail | Agriculture, Mining, Healthcare |
Affluence | Prosperous | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 18% less than those in Minnesota
- The COLI in Montana will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in MT is no state income tax compared to 5.35% to 9.85% in MN
- The affluence in Montana is moderate compared to prosperous in Minnesota
- The poverty level is higher in Montana compared to moderate in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Minnesota and low in Montana
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Montana
Comparison | Minnesota | Montana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately liberal | Conservative leaning |
Local Politics | Diverse, urban areas more liberal | Rural conservative, urban centers more mixed |
Religion | Mixed, with a strong Christian presence | Largely Christian, with notable local churches |
- Minnesota tends to lean moderately liberal in its political climate
- Montana, on the other hand, is often described as conservative leaning
- Montana's religious environment can be described as largely Christian with notable local churches
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a strong Christian presence
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Montana
Comparison | Minnesota | Montana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University University of St. Thomas | Montana State University University of Montana Montana Tech |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka) Creek Valley Elementary (Edina) Deephaven Elementary (Minnetonka) | Hawthorne Elementary (Bozeman) Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula) Morning Star Elementary (Bozeman) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Wayzata West Middle School (Plymouth) Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) Eastview Middle School (Lakeville) | Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman) C.S. Porter Middle School (Missoula) Washington Middle School (Missoula) |
Top 3 High Schools | Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) Edina High School (Edina) Wayzata High School (Plymouth) | Bozeman High School (Bozeman) Hellgate High School (Missoula) Sentinel High School (Missoula) |
Top 3 private high schools | Breck School (Golden Valley) Blake School (Minneapolis) St. Thomas Academy (Mendota Heights) | Missoula International School (Missoula) Bozeman Christian School (Bozeman) Valley Christian School (Missoula) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Mounds Park Academy (Saint Paul) Breck School (Golden Valley) Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) | Petty Creek School (Alberton) Bozeman Field School (Bozeman) Stillwater Christian School (Kalispell) |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public School District Edina Public School District Wayzata Public School District | Bozeman Public Schools Missoula County Public Schools Helena School District |
How Much Do Minnesota to Montana Movers Cost?
Moving 801 miles from Minnesota to Montana 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: 5-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,657 | 300 ft3 | $5.52 |
1 Bedroom | $2,462 | 450 ft3 | $5.47 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,066 | 750 ft3 | $5.42 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,909 | 1100 ft3 | $5.37 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,515 | 1600 ft3 | $5.32 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,490 | 1800 ft3 | $5.27 |
Top Minnesota to Montana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to Montana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.