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Minnesota to North Carolina Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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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

ConsMinnesota iconMinnesota
  • Harsh winters
  • Higher taxes
  • Limited beach access
  • Remote location
ProsNorth Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Mild winters
  • Lower taxes
  • Coastal beaches
  • Close to East Coast

North Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Education variability
  • Fewer large lakes
  • Hurricane risks
  • Higher humidity
Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • 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

ComparisonMinnesotaNorth Carolina
Most iconic local food itemHotdishPulled pork BBQ
Most popular meat dishWalleyeEastern-style BBQ
Most popular street food itemJucy LucyCarolina-style hot dog
Most popular vegan foodWild rice soupBBQ jackfruit
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Pit
  • Lexington Barbecue
  • Buxton Hall Barbecue
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 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

ComparisonMinnesotaNorth Carolina
Typical Architecture StylePrairie Style, ModernColonial, Craftsman
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 listingLakes, ParksBeach, 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 Minnesota’s $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

ComparisonMinnesotaNorth Carolina
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, TornadoesHurricanes, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)83/6388/66
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)24/-850/30
Annual Rainfall (Inches)28-3240-50
Annual Snowfall (Inches)48-704-8 (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

ComparisonMinnesotaNorth Carolina
Avg. Household Income$82,338$67,481
Cost of Living Index98.7595.85
State Income Tax5.35%-9.85%5.25%
Avg. Property Tax1.08%0.77%
Avg. Sales Tax7.46%6.98%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Finance, AgricultureFinance, Technology, Agriculture
AffluenceProsperousModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessManageableChallenging
  • 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

ComparisonMinnesotaNorth Carolina
Political Make-upGenerally leans DemocraticSwing state with both Democratic and Republican strongholds
Local PoliticsProgressive in urban areas like MinneapolisMixed, with conservative leanings in rural areas and progressive in places like Raleigh
ReligionLutheran and Catholic are prominentPrimarily 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

ComparisonMinnesotaNorth 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 SchoolsDeephaven Elementary
Minnetonka; Greenwood Elementary
Plymouth; Hale Elementary
Minneapolis
Endhaven Elementary
Charlotte; Glenwood Elementary
Chapel Hill; Morrisville Elementary
Morrisville
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWayzata 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 SchoolsMinnetonka 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 schoolsBreck 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 schoolsMounds 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 DistrictsWayzata Public Schools; Minnetonka Public Schools; Edina Public SchoolsChapel 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 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,972300 ft3$6.57
1 Bedroom$2,935450 ft3$6.52
2 Bedrooms$4,855750 ft3$6.47
3 Bedrooms$7,0651100 ft3$6.42
4 Bedrooms$10,1961600 ft3$6.37
5+ Bedrooms$11,3811800 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.

TOP PICK
Metro Movers featured image

Metro Movers

Best moving company overall for Minnesota to North Carolina

9.51/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Just Move It, LLC featured image

Just Move It, LLC

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Illuminated Moving & Packing featured image

Illuminated Moving & Packing

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details