Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Torrance, CA
Cross-country relocations like Minneapolis, MN β Torrance, CA cover 1913 mi and about 33h 53m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1913 mi Β· 33h 53m by car Β· MN β SD β WY β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β SD β WY β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, I 90, WY 789 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Sioux Falls, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Minneapolis | Torrance | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 8.3% pricier overall in Torrance than Minneapolis on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Torrance typical home at $1,124,932 is 8.3% above Minneapolis at $330,882 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, Torrance +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Minneapolis | Torrance |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 46Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 8Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 76Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 13.8" |
NOAA normals show Torrance running 16.7Β°F above Minneapolis on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US, REDONDO BEACH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | Torrance |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 143,499 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $113,105 |
| Median age | 33 | 43.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 34.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.59 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 8.3% between Minneapolis and Torrance (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Torrance MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Torrance sees only 13.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Torrance, CA from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 1913 mi and the route typically takes 33h 53m via I 15 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis to Torrance?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1913 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Minneapolis vs Torrance?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,105 in Torrance vs $80,269 in Minneapolis β a 40.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Torrance compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Torrance MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Torrance more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Torrance is 8.3% higher than Minneapolis (113.566 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Torrance compared to Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,124,932 in Torrance vs $330,882 in Minneapolis β a 240.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Minneapolis.
City profiles: Minneapolis, MN Β· Torrance, CA.