Moving from Kent, WA to St. Paul, MN
It is 1665 mi and 28h 35m from Kent to St. Paul β a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1665 mi Β· 28h 35m by car Β· MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Fargo, Billings, Spokane Valley, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | St. Paul | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 104.822 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 93.493 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 103.065 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 111.838 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.7% moving from Kent to St. Paul β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, St. Paul β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 9Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 29.2" |
Expect 7.3Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 307,762 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $73,055 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.5 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 5.7% lower in St. Paul than Kent.
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 Washington 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 1,911,030 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Kent vs St. Paul?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,055 in St. Paul vs $90,416 in Kent β a 19.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is St. Paul more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Paul is 5.7% lower than Kent (104.822 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Kent to St. Paul?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1665 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is St. Paul, MN from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 1665 mi and the route typically takes 28h 35m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· St. Paul, MN.