Moving from Tacoma, WA to Minneapolis, MN
A 1673 mi cross-country move between Tacoma and Minneapolis is 28h 46m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 5 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.
1673 mi Β· 28h 46m 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, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Minneapolis | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.7% cheaper overall in Minneapolis than Tacoma on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Minneapolis +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 46Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 8Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 34.4" |
Annual temperature drops 7.9Β°F moving to Minneapolis per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 426,845 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $80,269 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 32.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.26 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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.
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 much do homes cost in Minneapolis compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $330,882 in Minneapolis vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 33.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Minneapolis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1673 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 Tacoma vs Minneapolis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,269 in Minneapolis vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 4.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Minneapolis compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma 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.
Is Minneapolis more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Minneapolis is 5.7% lower than Tacoma (104.822 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Minneapolis, MN from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 1673 mi and the route typically takes 28h 46m 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Minneapolis, MN.