Moving from St. Paul, MN to Minneapolis, MN
It is a short 9.0 mi hop from St. Paul, MN to Minneapolis, MN — roughly 15 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
9.0 mi · 15 min by car · MN
Distance & route
| Route through | MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, MN 55 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Minneapolis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 104.822 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 93.493 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 103.065 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 111.838 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul —, Minneapolis +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | St. Paul | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47°F | 46°F |
| January avg low | 9°F | 8°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 34.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 426,845 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $80,269 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 32.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.26 |
Households in Minneapolis earn about 0.0% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Minneapolis 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.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Minneapolis compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 1,911,030 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Minneapolis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 9.0 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Minneapolis, MN from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 9.0 mi and the route typically takes 15 min via I 94 and MN 55. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in St. Paul vs Minneapolis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,269 in Minneapolis vs $73,055 in St. Paul — a 9.9% higher 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 St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN · Minneapolis, MN.