North Carolina to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 1,358 mile interstate move from North Carolina to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Carolina vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs milder summer climate), food & health (like Pulled pork BBQ vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs cape cod, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pulled pork BBQ and Eastern-style BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Walleye
- Minnesota housing costs are 1% more expensive than they are in North Carolina
- Rent in Minnesota is 3.80% more affordable than in North Carolina
- Moving from North Carolina to Minnesota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended North Carolina to Minnesota movers is Metro Movers
North Carolina to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Carolina to Minnesota
- Hot, humid summers
- Hurricane risks
- Higher wildfire threat
- Traffic congestion
- Milder summer climate
- Less extreme weather
- Lower wildfire threat
- Lesser traffic in many areas
- No ocean beaches
- Cold, long winters
- No Southern BBQ
- Higher cost of living
- Beaches and coastline
- Year-round mild climate
- Famous for BBQ
- Affordable living
Pros of moving from North Carolina to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to a milder summer climate
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane risks and moving to Minnesota with less extreme weather
- Swap the higher wildfire threat of North Carolina for a lower wildfire threat in Minnesota
- Get ready for less traffic in many areas in Minnesota
Cons of moving from North Carolina to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the beaches and coastline in North Carolina to live with no ocean beaches in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of a year-round mild climate and have to settle for the con of cold, long winters
- Time to bid farewell to the famous BBQ and get used to no Southern BBQ in Minnesota
- Swap affordable living for a higher cost of living
North Carolina vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Carolina | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pulled pork BBQ | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Eastern-style BBQ | Walleye |
Most popular street food item | Carolina-style hot dogs | Jucy Lucy burger |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ jackfruit | Vegan hotdish |
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 North Carolina to Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in North Carolina rave about their flavorful Eastern-style BBQ and sumptuous Carolina-style hot dogs, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Jucy Lucy burgers to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan hotdish of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Carolina eateries like Skylight Inn BBQ, The Pit, and Lexington Barbecue. 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, The Salty Tart, and Spoon and Stable.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Minnesota compared to what you are used to in North Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Carolina and Minnesota
Comparison | North Carolina | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Cape Cod, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Hardwood floors | Lakeside views, Energy efficiency |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that North Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Cape Cod and Craftsman architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to North Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and hardwood floors, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside views and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Minnesota is more walkable than North Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Minnesota is more bike-friendly than North Carolina.
- Minnesota has more of an urban feel than North Carolina.
- Minnesota housing costs are 1% more expensive than they are in North Carolina, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to North Carolinaβs $329,225.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 63% increase in North Carolina.
- Rent in Minnesota is 3.80% more affordable than in North Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Carolina and Minnesota
Comparison | North Carolina | 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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 66Β°F | 83Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 30Β°F | 23Β°F / 7Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 30" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 6" | 54" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Carolina to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 7% fewer sunshine days than North Carolina.
- Minnesota has similar humidity and a lower average UV index compared to North Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 5 degrees colder than in North Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 23 degrees colder than they are in North Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 20 fewer inches of rain compared to North Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Carolina and Minnesota
Comparison | North Carolina | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,481 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.85 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 5.25% | 9.85% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.84% | 1.10% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.98% | 7.46% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Financial Services, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Average | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 22% more than those in North Carolina
- The COLI in Minnesota is 3% higher than what you are used to living in North Carolina
- The state income tax in MN is 9.85% compared to 5.25% in NC
- The affluence in Minnesota is high compared to moderate affluence in North Carolina
- The poverty level is low in Minnesota compared to moderate poverty in North Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is average in North Carolina and low in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in North Carolina vs. Minnesota
Comparison | North Carolina | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean conservative, but becoming more purple | Lean liberal, especially in urban areas |
Local Politics | Mix of Republican and Democratic leadership | Democratic leadership predominates in urban regions |
Religion | Predominantly Christian, evangelical influence in rural areas | Diverse, with a significant Lutheran population |
- North Carolina tends to lean conservative, but is becoming more purple in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as leaning liberal, especially in urban areas
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a significant Lutheran population
- North Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian with an evangelical influence in rural areas
Education Guide When Moving from North Carolina to Minnesota
Comparison | North Carolina | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | 1. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill 2. North Carolina State University Raleigh 3. Duke University Durham | 1. University of Minnesota Minneapolis 2. Minnesota State University Mankato 3. St. Olaf College Northfield |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | 1. Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy Charlotte 2. Quest Academy Raleigh 3. Endeavor Charter School Wake Forest | 1. St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower Stillwater 2. Yinghua Academy Minneapolis 3. Excelsior Elementary Excelsior |
Top 3 Middle Schools | 1. Phillips Middle School Chapel Hill 2. Raleigh Charter High School Raleigh 3. Jay M. Robinson Middle School Charlotte | 1. Minnetonka Middle School East Minnetonka 2. Wayzata Central Middle School Plymouth 3. Mn North Star Academy St. Paul |
Top 3 High School Schools | 1. Raleigh Charter High School Raleigh 2. Providence High School Charlotte 3. Early College at Guilford Greensboro | 1. Edina High School Edina 2. Minnetonka High School Minnetonka 3. Wayzata High School Plymouth |
Top 3 private high schools | 1. Charlotte Country Day School Charlotte 2. Durham Academy Durham 3. Ravenscroft School Raleigh | 1. Breck School Minneapolis 2. Blake School Minneapolis 3. St. Paul Academy and Summit School St. Paul |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | 1. Cary Academy Cary 2. Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill Durham 3. North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Durham | 1. Mounds Park Academy Saint Paul 2. Minnehaha Academy Minneapolis 3. Breck School Minneapolis |
Top 3 School Districts | 1. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Chapel Hill 2. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Charlotte 3. Wake County Public School System Cary | 1. Minnetonka Public School District Minnetonka 2. Edina Public Schools Edina 3. Wayzata Public Schools Plymouth |
How Much Do North Carolina to Minnesota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,358 miles from North Carolina to Minnesota 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 | $2,936 | 450 ft3 | $6.52 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,856 | 750 ft3 | $6.47 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,067 | 1100 ft3 | $6.42 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,199 | 1600 ft3 | $6.37 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,384 | 1800 ft3 | $6.32 |
Top North Carolina to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Carolina to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Metro Movers
Best moving company overall for North Carolina to Minnesota