Washington to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 1,473 mile interstate move from Washington to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Washington vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like rainy weather vs sunny summers), food & health (like Salmon vs Walleye), real estate & housing (craftsman, contemporary vs ranch, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Salmon and Teriyaki, but get your taste buds ready for Walleye & Hotdish
- Minnesota housing costs are 44% less expensive than they are in Washington
- Rent in Minnesota is 15.48% more affordable than in Washington
- Moving from Washington to Minnesota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Washington to Minnesota movers is Seattle Moves & More
Washington to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to Minnesota
- Rainy weather
- High living costs
- Earthquake risk
- Traffic congestion
- Sunny summers
- Affordable housing
- Low natural disasters
- Less traffic
- Harsher winters
- Fewer tech jobs
- No seaside access
- Fewer mountain ranges
- Vibrant culture
- Tech job opportunities
- Coastal views
- Access to mountains
Pros of moving from Washington to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to rainy weather and hello to sunny summers
- Look forward to moving away from high living costs and moving to Minnesota with affordable housing
- Swap the earthquake risk of Washington for low natural disaster occurrences in Minnesota
- Get ready for less traffic in Minnesota
Cons of moving from Washington to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant culture in Washington to live with harsher winters in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of tech job opportunities and have to settle for the con of fewer tech jobs
- Time to bid farewell to coastal views and get used to no seaside access in Minnesota
- Swap access to mountains for fewer mountain ranges
Washington vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Washington | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Salmon | Walleye |
Most popular meat dish | Teriyaki | Hotdish |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Juicy Lucy |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Bowl | Wild Rice 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 Washington to Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Salmon of Washington for the equally delicious Walleye of Minnesota. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful Teriyaki and sumptuous Tacos, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Hotdish and Juicy Lucy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Burger of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Washington eateries like Canlis, The Herbfarm, and Salumi. After the boxes are unpacked in Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Spoon and Stable, Matt's Bar, and CafΓ© Alma.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Washington. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Minnesota, compared to what you are used to in Washington. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and Minnesota
Comparison | Washington | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Contemporary | Ranch, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Stainless steel appliances, granite countertops | Hardwood floors, fenced backyards |
- The Craftsman and Contemporary architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Cape Cod architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like hardwood floors and fenced backyards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Minnesota is less walkable than Washington.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Minnesota is less bike-friendly than Washington.
- Minnesota has less of an urban feel than Washington.
- Minnesota housing costs are 44% less expensive than they are in Washington, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Washingtonβs $591,148.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 49% increase in Washington.
- Rent in Minnesota is 15.48% more affordable than in Washington.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Washington and Minnesota
Comparison | Washington | 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 | Earthquakes, Volcanoes | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 75Β°F / 55Β°F | 83Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F / 37Β°F | 24Β°F / 7Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 38 | 28 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 54 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Washington to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 30% more sunshine days than Washington.
- Minnesota has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Washington.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Minnesota.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 8 degrees warmer than in Washington.
- The average winter lows in Minnesota are 30 degrees colder than they are in Washington.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to Washington.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and Minnesota
Comparison | Washington | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $91,306 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 104.1 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 5.35% - 9.85% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.03% | 1.08% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.5% | 6.875% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | Prosperous | Stable |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Significant | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 10% less than those in Washington
- The COLI in Minnesota will be 5% lower than what you are used to living in Washington
- Bummer... By moving from WA to MN, you'll now have a state income tax of 5.35% to 9.85%
- The affluence in Minnesota is stable compared to prosperous in Washington
- The poverty level is low in Minnesota compared to moderate in Washington
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Washington and moderate in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. Minnesota
Comparison | Washington | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal, Democratic-leaning | Mixed, with both Democratic and Republican representation |
Local Politics | Progressive urban centers, with conservative rural areas | Socially progressive, with a strong emphasis on community and education |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated overall | Higher rates of religious affiliation, Lutheran predominance |
- Washington tends to lean Liberal and Democratic-leaning in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with both Democratic and Republican representation
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as having higher rates of religious affiliation and Lutheran predominance
- Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated overall
Education Guide When Moving from Washington to Minnesota
Comparison | Washington | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Washington Washington State University Western Washington University | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University University of St. Thomas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cascade K-8 Community School (Shoreline) Challenge Elementary (Bellevue) Discovery Primary School (Gig Harbor) | Deephaven Elementary (Minnetonka) Greenwood Elementary (Plymouth) Hale Elementary (Minneapolis) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | International School (Bellevue) Washington Middle School (Olympia) Mercer International Middle School (Seattle) | Wayzata Central Middle School (Plymouth) Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) Eastview Middle School (Apple Valley) |
Top 3 High Schools | Bellevue High School (Bellevue) International School (Bellevue) Newport High School (Bellevue) | Edina High School (Edina) Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) Wayzata High School (Plymouth) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Overlake School (Redmond) Annie Wright Schools (Tacoma) Lakeside School (Seattle) | Breck School (Golden Valley) The Blake School (Minneapolis) St. Paul Academy (St. Paul) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Bear Creek School (Redmond) The Bush School (Seattle) Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland) | Breck School (Golden Valley) The Blake School (Hopkins) Mounds Park Academy (St. Paul) |
Top 3 School Districts | Bellevue School District Mercer Island School District Lake Washington School District | Minnetonka Public Schools Edina Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools |
How Much Do Washington to Minnesota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,473 miles from Washington to Minnesota will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,038 | 300 ft3 | $6.79 |
1 Bedroom | $3,034 | 450 ft3 | $6.74 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,019 | 750 ft3 | $6.69 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,306 | 1100 ft3 | $6.64 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,547 | 1600 ft3 | $6.59 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,775 | 1800 ft3 | $6.54 |
Top Washington to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Washington to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
Seattle Moves & More
Best moving company overall for Washington to Minnesota