Minnesota to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 1,357 mile interstate move from Minnesota to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Hotdish vs Pulled pork BBQ), real estate & housing (prairie style, modern vs colonial, 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 Pulled pork BBQ & Eastern-style BBQ
- North Carolina housing costs are 1% less expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in North Carolina is 3.95% more expensive than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to North Carolina will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Minnesota to North Carolina movers is Metro Movers
Minnesota to North Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to North Carolina
- Harsh winters
- Higher taxes
- Limited beach access
- Remote location
- Mild winters
- Lower taxes
- Coastal beaches
- Close to East Coast
- Education variability
- Fewer large lakes
- Hurricane risks
- Higher humidity
- Quality education
- Pristine lakes
- State parks
- Friendly communities
Pros of moving from Minnesota to North Carolina
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from higher taxes and moving to North Carolina with lower taxes
- Swap the limited beach access of Minnesota for coastal beaches in North Carolina
- Get ready for proximity to the East Coast in North Carolina
Cons of moving from Minnesota to North Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from quality education in Minnesota to live with educational variability in North Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of pristine lakes and have to settle for the con of fewer large lakes
- Time to bid farewell to state parks and get used to hurricane risks in North Carolina
- Swap friendly communities for higher humidity
Minnesota vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Pulled pork BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Eastern-style BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Jucy Lucy | Carolina-style hot dog |
Most popular vegan food | Wild rice soup | 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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Jucy Lucy, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Eastern-style BBQ and Carolina-style hot dogs 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 BBQ Jackfruit of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, The Nook, and Smack Shack. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like The Pit, Lexington Barbecue, and Buxton Hall Barbecue.
When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in North Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and North Carolina
Comparison | Minnesota | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie Style, Modern | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakes, Parks | Beach, Mountains |
- The Prairie Style and Modern architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of North Carolina.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lakes and parks, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like beaches and mountains.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Carolina is less walkable than Minnesota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; North Carolina is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- North Carolina has less of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- North Carolina housing costs are 1% less expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in North Carolina is 3.95% more expensive than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and North Carolina
Comparison | Minnesota | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83/63 | 88/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24/-8 | 50/30 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28-32 | 40-50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48-70 | 4-8 (varies greatly inland) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 8% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
- North Carolina 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 hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 5 degrees warmer than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows are 38 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 12 more inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and North Carolina
Comparison | Minnesota | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 5.35%-9.85% | 5.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.08% | 0.77% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.46% | 6.98% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Finance, Agriculture | Finance, Technology, Agriculture |
Affluence | Prosperous | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Challenging |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 18% less than in Minnesota
- The COLI in North Carolina will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in NC is 5.25% compared to 5.35% to 9.85% in MN
- The affluence in North Carolina is moderate compared to prosperous in Minnesota
- The poverty level is moderate in North Carolina compared to low in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Minnesota and challenging in North Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. North Carolina
Comparison | Minnesota | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Generally leans Democratic | Swing state with both Democratic and Republican strongholds |
Local Politics | Progressive in urban areas like Minneapolis | Mixed, with conservative leanings in rural areas and progressive in places like Raleigh |
Religion | Lutheran and Catholic are prominent | Primarily Evangelical Protestant, with a significant Catholic minority |
- Minnesota tends to lean generally Democratic in its political climate
- North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with both Democratic and Republican strongholds
- North Carolina's religious environment can be described as primarily Evangelical Protestant with a significant Catholic minority
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Lutheran and Catholic, which are prominent
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to North Carolina
Comparison | Minnesota | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota Twin Cities; University of St. Thomas; Minnesota State University Mankato | University of North Carolina Chapel Hill; North Carolina State University; Duke University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Deephaven Elementary Minnetonka; Greenwood Elementary Plymouth; Hale Elementary Minneapolis | Endhaven Elementary Charlotte; Glenwood Elementary Chapel Hill; Morrisville Elementary Morrisville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Wayzata East Middle School Plymouth; Minnetonka Middle School East Minnetonka; Eden Prairie Central Middle School Eden Prairie | Smith Middle School Chapel Hill; Jay M. Robinson Middle School Charlotte; Ligon Middle School Raleigh |
Top 3 High School Schools | Minnetonka High School Minnetonka; Eden Prairie High School Eden Prairie; Wayzata High School Plymouth | Green Hope High School Cary; Ardrey Kell High School Charlotte; Raleigh Charter High School Raleigh |
Top 3 private high schools | Breck School Golden Valley; Blake School Minneapolis; St. Paul Academy St. Paul | Charlotte Latin School Charlotte; Durham Academy Durham; Cary Academy Cary |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Mounds Park Academy St. Paul; Breck School Golden Valley; The Blake School Minneapolis | Charlotte Country Day School Charlotte; Ravenscroft School Raleigh; Durham Academy Durham |
Top 3 School Districts | Wayzata Public Schools; Minnetonka Public Schools; Edina Public Schools | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools; Wake County Public School System; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools |
How Much Do Minnesota to North Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 1,357 miles from Minnesota to North Carolina 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: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,972 | 300 ft3 | $6.57 |
1 Bedroom | $2,935 | 450 ft3 | $6.52 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,855 | 750 ft3 | $6.47 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,065 | 1100 ft3 | $6.42 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,196 | 1600 ft3 | $6.37 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,381 | 1800 ft3 | $6.32 |
Top Minnesota to North Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Metro Movers
Best moving company overall for Minnesota to North Carolina