Pennsylvania to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 1,175 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher taxes vs lower tax rates), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (colonial vs modern and cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes, politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pork and Sauerkraut, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Walleye
- Minnesota housing costs are 27% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Minnesota is 12.30% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to Minnesota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Minnesota movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Pennsylvania to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Minnesota
- Higher taxes
- Middle-of-road education
- Snowy winters
- Urban congestion
- Lower tax rates
- Top-quality schools
- Winter activities
- Spacious living
- Less historical depth
- Less cultural variety
- Flat landscapes
- Distance from coasts
- Rich history
- Diverse culture
- Scenic countryside
- Close to NYC/DC
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to higher taxes and hello to lower tax rates
- Look forward to moving away from middle-of-the-road education and moving to Minnesota with top-quality schools
- Swap the snowy winters of Pennsylvania for winter activities in Minnesota
- Get ready for spacious living in Minnesota
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich history in Pennsylvania to live with less historical depth in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle for the con of less cultural variety
- Time to bid farewell to scenic countryside and get used to flat landscapes in Minnesota
- Swap living close to NYC/DC for distance from the coasts
Pennsylvania vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Pork and Sauerkraut | Walleye |
Most popular street food item | Soft Pretzel | Jucy Lucy |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Soup | Wild Rice Soup |
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 Pennsylvania to Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut and sumptuous Soft Pretzel, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Jucy Lucy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Soup of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Pat's King of Steaks, and Zahav. 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 (Closed).
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Minnesota, compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Minnesota
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Modern and Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, Granite countertops | Lake access, Open floor plan |
- The Colonial architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Cape Cod architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and open floor plans.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Minnesota is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Minnesota is more bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- Minnesota has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- Minnesota housing costs are 27% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Minnesota is 12.30% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Minnesota
Comparison | Pennsylvania | 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 | Flooding, Tornadoes | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 83/60 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 36/20 | 24/9 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 30 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 54 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 11% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- Minnesota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible flooding and tornadoes in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota.
- The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 2 degrees colder than in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows are 11 degrees colder than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 12 fewer inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Minnesota
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leans Democratic | Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Competitive in both urban and rural areas | Urban areas more liberal, rural areas conservative |
Religion | Christianity dominant, diverse religious communities | Christianity dominant, notable Muslim and Jewish communities |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean mixed and leans Democratic in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as Christianity dominant with notable Muslim and Jewish communities
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Minnesota
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University University of Pittsburgh | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University University of St. Thomas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bradford Heights Elem. Downingtown; Franklin El. School Pittsburgh; Whitemarsh Elem. Conshohocken | Scenic Heights Elem. Minnetonka; Deephaven Elem. Deephaven; Greenwood Elem. Plymouth |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Haverford MS Havertown; Radnor MS Radnor; Wissahickon MS Ambler | Wayzata Central MS Plymouth; Minnetonka MS East Minnetonka; Mahtomedi MS Mahtomedi |
Top 3 High Schools | Conestoga HS Berwyn; Masterman HS Philadelphia; Radnor HS Radnor | Edina HS Edina; Minnetonka HS Minnetonka; Wayzata HS Plymouth |
Top 3 private high schools | The Haverford School Haverford; Shady Side Academy Pittsburgh; The Baldwin School Bryn Mawr | Breck School Golden Valley; The Blake School Minneapolis; St. Paul Academy St. Paul |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Agnes Irwin School Rosemont; Friends' Central School Wynnewood; Germantown Friends School Philadelphia | The Blake School Minneapolis; Breck School Golden Valley; St. Paul Academy and Summit School St. Paul |
Top 3 School Districts | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Wayne; Radnor Township School District Radnor; Lower Merion School District Ardmore | Minnetonka Public School District Minnetonka; Edina Public School District Edina; Wayzata Public School District Plymouth |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to Minnesota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,175 miles from Pennsylvania to Minnesota 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 | $1,869 | 300 ft3 | $6.23 |
1 Bedroom | $2,780 | 450 ft3 | $6.18 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,597 | 750 ft3 | $6.13 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,687 | 1100 ft3 | $6.08 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,646 | 1600 ft3 | $6.03 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,762 | 1800 ft3 | $5.98 |
Top Pennsylvania to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Minnesota