Moving from Green Bay, WI to St. Paul, MN
It is a 273 mi drive, roughly 5h 17m, between Green Bay, WI and St. Paul, MN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
273 mi · 5h 17m by car · MN → WI
Distance & route
| Route through | MN → WI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | WI 29, US 12, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Green Bay | St. Paul | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.086 | 104.822 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.041 | 93.493 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 103.065 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.696 | 111.838 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 12.6% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Green Bay +5.9%, St. Paul —. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Green Bay | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 47°F |
| January avg low | 9°F | 9°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 32.4" | 29.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Green Bay (44.7°F) and St. Paul (46.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: GREEN BAY BOTANICAL, WI US, ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Green Bay | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,585 | 307,762 |
| Median household income | $62,546 | $73,055 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.5 |
Households in St. Paul earn about 12.6% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Paul MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 233,400 | $49,210 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 158,540 | $40,720 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 154,580 | $81,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,950 | $31,400 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 144,720 | $46,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Wisconsin and Minnesota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Minnesota's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in St. Paul compare to Green Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA vs $47,410 in the Green Bay MSA, on total employment of 1,911,030 and 171,590 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is St. Paul, MN from Green Bay, WI?
The driving distance is 273 mi and the route typically takes 5h 17m via WI 29 and US 12. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Green Bay vs St. Paul?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,055 in St. Paul vs $62,546 in Green Bay — a 16.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is St. Paul more expensive than Green Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Paul is 12.6% higher than Green Bay (104.822 vs 93.086, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Green Bay to St. Paul?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 273 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Green Bay.
City profiles: Green Bay, WI · St. Paul, MN.