Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Spokane, WA
It is 1382 mi between Minneapolis and Spokane β roughly 23h 20m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1382 mi Β· 23h 20m 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 | St Paul, Fargo, Billings, Spokane Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Minneapolis | Spokane | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 100.346 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 91.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 105.028 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 97.059 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 104.822 vs 100.346 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.3% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, Spokane 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Minneapolis | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 46Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 8Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 17.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Minneapolis (45.8Β°F) and Spokane (49.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US, SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 229,228 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $65,745 |
| Median age | 33 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.37 |
Households in Spokane earn about 4.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Spokane MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,380 | $46,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,780 | $38,530 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,620 | $44,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,480 | $35,500 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,820 | $95,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis to Spokane?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1382 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Spokane compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,920 in the Spokane MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 255,160 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Spokane more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Spokane is 4.3% lower than Minneapolis (100.346 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Spokane, WA from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 1382 mi and the route typically takes 23h 20m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Spokane compared to Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $395,325 in Spokane vs $330,882 in Minneapolis β a 19.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Minneapolis vs Spokane?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,745 in Spokane vs $80,269 in Minneapolis β a 18.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Minneapolis.
City profiles: Minneapolis, MN Β· Spokane, WA.