Montana to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

Planning a 801 mile interstate move from Montana to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Montana vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder temperatures), food & health (like Bison Steak vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (rustic, cabin-style vs victorian, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Bison Steak and Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Walleye
- Minnesota housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in Montana
- Rent in Minnesota is 18.25% more expensive than in Montana
- Moving from Montana to Minnesota will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Montana to Minnesota movers is Metro Movers
Montana to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Montana to Minnesota
- Harsh winters
- Rural isolation
- Limited job market
- Scattered healthcare
- Few entertainment options
- Milder temperatures
- Urban amenities
- Diverse economy
- Advanced medical centers
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Dense urban areas
- Crowded living conditions
- Higher taxes
- Fewer natural parks
- Fragmented communities
- Natural beauty
- Open spaces
- Lower cost of living
- Outdoor activities
- Community spirit
Pros of moving from Montana to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from rural isolation and moving to Minnesota with urban amenities
- Swap the limited job market of Montana for a diverse economy in Minnesota
- Get ready for advanced medical centers in Minnesota
Cons of moving from Montana to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in Montana to live with dense urban areas in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of open spaces and have to settle for the con of crowded living conditions
- Time to bid farewell to the lower cost of living and get used to higher taxes in Minnesota
- Swap outdoor activities for fewer natural parks
Montana vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Montana | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Bison Steak | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Trout | Walleye |
Most popular street food item | Huckleberry Pie | Jucy Lucy |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Bowl | Beet Burger |
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 Montana to Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Bison Steak of Montana for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in Montana rave about their flavorful Trout and sumptuous Huckleberry Pie, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Jucy Lucy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Beet Burger of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Montana eateries like Buck's T-4 Lodge, Bozeman Trail Steakhouse, and Casey's Whitefish. After the boxes are unpacked in Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Matt's Bar, Spoon and Stable, and The Bachelor Farmer.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Montana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Minnesota compared to what you are used to in Montana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Montana and Minnesota
Comparison | Montana | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Rustic, Cabin-style | Victorian, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Scenic views, privacy | Lake access, family-friendly neighborhoods |
- The Rustic and Cabin-style architecture that Montana is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Craftsman architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to Montana's real estate listings that commonly reference scenic views and privacy, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and family-friendly neighborhoods.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Minnesota is more walkable than Montana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Minnesota is more bike-friendly than Montana.
- Minnesota has more of an urban feel than Montana.
- Minnesota housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in Montana, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Montanaβs $456,199.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 71% increase in Montana.
- Rent in Minnesota is 18.25% more expensive than in Montana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Montana and Minnesota
Comparison | Montana | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Floods | Cold waves, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 45Β°F | 83Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 10Β°F | 24Β°F / 7Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15 | 30 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 40 | 55 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Montana to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 3% fewer sunshine days than Montana.
- Minnesota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Montana.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Montana, but be on the lookout for potential cold waves and tornadoes in Minnesota.
- The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 1 degree warmer than in Montana.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in Montana.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 15 more inches of rain compared to Montana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Montana and Minnesota
Comparison | Montana | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,631 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.4 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 6.75% | 9.85% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.84% | 1.12% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 7.31% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Tourism, Mining | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 22% more than those in Montana
- The COLI in Minnesota is 1% lower than what you are used to living in Montana
- The state income tax in MN is 9.85% compared to 6.75% in MT
- The affluence in Minnesota is high compared to moderate in Montana
- The poverty level is low in Minnesota compared to moderate in Montana
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Montana and moderate in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in Montana vs. Minnesota
Comparison | Montana | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Rural interests played up | Urban and rural balance |
Religion | Christianity dominates | Diverse religious landscape |
- Montana tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape
- Montana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as dominated by Christianity
Education Guide When Moving from Montana to Minnesota
Comparison | Montana | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Montana Montana State University Montana Tech | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University St. Cloud State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Hawthorne Elementary (Bozeman) Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula) Arrowhead Elementary (Kalispell) | Deephaven Elementary (Minnetonka) Greenwood (Plymouth) Creek Valley Elementary (Edina) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Washington Middle School (Missoula) Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman) C.R. Anderson Middle School (Helena) | Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) Wayzata East Middle School (Plymouth) Plymouth Middle School (Plymouth) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Bozeman High School (Bozeman) Hellgate High School (Missoula) Sentinel High School (Missoula) | Edina High School (Edina) Wayzata High School (Plymouth) Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) |
Top 3 private high schools | Billings Central Catholic High School (Billings) Great Falls Central Catholic High School (Great Falls) Missoula Loyola Sacred Heart High School (Missoula) | Breck School (Minneapolis) Blake School (Minneapolis) St. Paul Academy and Summit School (St. Paul) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Petra Academy (Bozeman) Missoula International School (Missoula) Stillwater Christian School (Kalispell) | Breck School (Minneapolis) Blake School (Minneapolis) Mounds Park Academy (St. Paul) |
Top 3 School Districts | Bozeman Public Schools Billings Public Schools Missoula County Public Schools | Edina Public Schools Minnetonka Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools |
How Much Do Montana to Minnesota Movers Cost?
Moving 801 miles from Montana to Minnesota 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 Montana to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Montana to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.