Moving from St. Paul, MN to Torrance, CA
A 1916 mi cross-country move between St. Paul and Torrance is 33h 58m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1916 mi Β· 33h 58m 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 | Minneapolis, 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
| St. Paul | 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 |
Overall prices come in 8.3% above St. Paul β 104.822 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, Torrance +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | Torrance |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 76Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 13.8" |
Annual average temperature gap of 16.0Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, REDONDO BEACH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Torrance |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 143,499 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $113,105 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 43.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 34.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.59 |
Torrance households earn about 8.3% more than St. Paul at the median β $73,055 β $113,105 on 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 (16.0Β°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
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Torrance?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1916 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Torrance more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Torrance is 8.3% higher than St. Paul (113.566 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in St. Paul vs Torrance?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,105 in Torrance vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 54.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Torrance, CA from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 1916 mi and the route typically takes 33h 58m via I 15 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Torrance compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Torrance MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN Β· Torrance, CA.