Minnesota to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 1,171 mile interstate move from Minnesota to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Hotdish vs Philly Cheesesteak), real estate & housing (prairie style/rambler vs colonial/stone farmhouses), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Hotdish and Walleye, but get your taste buds ready for Philly Cheesesteak & Pork and Sauerkraut
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 21% less expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 10.95% more affordable than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Minnesota to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Minnesota to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Pennsylvania
- Cold winters
- Limited job market
- Higher state income tax
- Landlocked scenery
- Isolated rural areas
- Milder climate
- Diverse job opportunities
- Lower state tax rates
- Varied landscape
- Dense urban centers
- Lack of lakes
- Less community bonding
- Fewer cultural resources
- Higher crime rates
- Variable school quality
- Lakes and nature
- Friendly communities
- Cultural activities
- Low crime rates
- Good public schools
Pros of moving from Minnesota to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Pennsylvania with diverse job opportunities
- Swap the higher state income tax of Minnesota for lower state tax rates in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for a varied landscape in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Minnesota to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lakes and nature in Minnesota to live with a lack of lakes in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of friendly communities and have to settle for the con of less community bonding
- Time to bid farewell to cultural activities and get used to fewer cultural resources in Pennsylvania
- Swap low crime rates for higher crime rates
Minnesota vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Philly Cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Pork and Sauerkraut |
Most popular street food item | Jucy Lucy | Soft Pretzel |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Mushroom Cheesesteak |
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 Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Jucy Lucy, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pork and Sauerkraut and Soft Pretzel to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Mushroom Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, Hell's Kitchen, and Spoon and Stable. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Pat's King of Steaks, Reading Terminal Market, and Zahav.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania, compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Minnesota | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie Style/Rambler | Colonial/Stone Farmhouses |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Open concept, Natural light | Historic details, Hardwood floors, Large yards |
- The Prairie Style and Rambler architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Stone Farmhouses architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access, open concept, and natural light, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like historic details, hardwood floors, and large yards.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Pennsylvania is more walkable than Minnesota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Pennsylvania is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 21% less expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 43% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 10.95% more affordable than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Minnesota | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Floods, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 85Β°F / 65Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 23Β°F / 7Β°F | 33Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30.61 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 54 | 38 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Minnesota to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 10% fewer sunshine days than Minnesota.
- Pennsylvania has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Minnesota, but be on the lookout for potential floods and hurricanes in Pennsylvania.
- The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is 2 degrees warmer than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows are 13 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 11.4 more inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Minnesota | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 5.35-9.85 | 3.07 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.08 | 1.58 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.42 | 6.34 |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Health Care | Finance, Manufacturing, Health Care |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 13% less than in Minnesota
- The COLI in Pennsylvania is 1% higher than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07 compared to 5.35 to 9.85 in MN
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is moderate compared to moderate in Minnesota
- The poverty level is moderate in Pennsylvania compared to low in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Minnesota and low in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Minnesota | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately liberal, tends to vote Democratic in national elections | Swing state, with a mix of liberal urban centers and conservative rural areas |
Local Politics | Progressive cities like Minneapolis | Conservative areas contrast with liberal cities such as Philadelphia |
Religion | Lutheran and Catholic are predominant | Catholic, with significant Jewish, Muslim, and Protestant communities |
- Minnesota tends to lean moderately liberal and tends to vote Democratic in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with a mix of liberal urban centers and conservative rural areas
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as Catholic with significant Jewish, Muslim, and Protestant communities
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Lutheran and Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Minnesota | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University St. Olaf College | University of Pennsylvania Penn State University Temple University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka) Creek Valley Elementary (Edina) Deephaven Elementary (Minnetonka) | Adlai Stevenson Elementary (Pittsburgh) Hillside Elementary (Berwyn) Marshall Elementary (Wexford) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Wayzata Central Middle School (Plymouth) Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) South View Middle School (Edina) | Welsh Valley Middle School (Narberth) Haverford Middle School (Haverford) Fort Couch Middle School (Pittsburgh) |
Top 3 High Schools | Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) Edina High School (Edina) Wayzata High School (Plymouth) | Conestoga High School (Berwyn) Harriton High School (Bryn Mawr) North Allegheny Senior High School (Wexford) |
Top 3 private high schools | Breck School (Minneapolis) Blake School (Minneapolis) St. Paul Academy (St. Paul) | The Haverford School (Haverford) The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Breck School (Minneapolis) Blake School (Minneapolis) Mounds Park Academy (St. Paul) | The Haverford School (Haverford) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public School District Edina Public School District Wayzata Public School District | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District North Allegheny School District |
How Much Do Minnesota to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 1,171 miles from Minnesota to Pennsylvania will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,866 | 300 ft3 | $6.22 |
1 Bedroom | $2,777 | 450 ft3 | $6.17 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,591 | 750 ft3 | $6.12 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,678 | 1100 ft3 | $6.07 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,634 | 1600 ft3 | $6.02 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,748 | 1800 ft3 | $5.97 |
Top Minnesota to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Minnesota to Pennsylvania