($1,298) Moving From California to Minnesota
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Minnesota ranges from $1,224 to $7,636 and takes five-sixteen days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to Minnesota separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Minnesota to California guide.
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The best California to Minnesota movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Minnesota is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to Minnesota:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- BLVD Moving: Best for quick quotes
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351 (209) 551-7772 |
| Meathead Movers | Get A Quote |
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3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328 |
| House to Home Moving | Get A Quote |
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8974 Greenback Ln, Orangevale, CA, 95662 (916) 484-1144 |
Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from California to Minnesota?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Minnesota for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,298 - $4,997 | $1,092 - $2,729 | $1,165 - $2,269 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,372 - $7,636 | $2,045 - $4,205 | $1,224 - $2,570 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,239 - $11,036 | $2,662 - $5,897 | $1,483 - $3,116 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,987 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to MN
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Minnesota will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
How much does it cost to hire movers from California to Minnesota?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Minnesota will cost between $1,298 and $4,997. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to MN will range from $3,372 to $7,636, and a large move from California to Minnesota will cost from $6,239 to $11,036.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Minnesota?
Moving containers from California to Minnesota will cost you $1,092 to $2,729 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,045 to $4,205. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,662 to $5,897. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.
How much is a moving truck from California to Minnesota?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$1,165 to $2,269.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,224 to $2,570,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Minnesota costs from
$1,483 to $3,116.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to Minnesota a good idea?
If you’re moving to Minnesota from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Minnesota
| California | Minnesota | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,178 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $334,119 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $84,313 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 94 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 3.4% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 8.03% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 9.85% |
- Rent is about 37% less expensive in Minnesota than in California.
- Home prices are about 57% lower in Minnesota than in California.
- The average income is about 8% lower in Minnesota than in California.
- Cost of living is 30% lower in Minnesota than in California.
- Minnesota has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 37%.
- Sales taxes are 7% lower in Minnesota than in California.
- Income taxes are 26% lower in Minnesota than in California.
How does life in Minnesota differ from California?
| Minnesota | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,737,915 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 51.1-46.9 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 81ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 2ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 29" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 47" | 7" |
| Crime index | 22.47 | 28.43 |
- The population of Minnesota is approximately 85% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Minnesota voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Minnesota is 81ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Minnesota reaches the temperature of 2ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about twenty-nine inches of annual rainfall in Minnesota versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In Minnesota, it snows about forty-seven inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- Minnesota has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 28.43 vs 22.47.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Minnesota
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus Minnesota side by side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Ample economic opportunity |
| Pleasant weather | Bountiful recreational outdoor opportunities |
| Abundant recreational options | Multitudinous lakes |
| High quality of life | Diverse festivals |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Friendly people |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Minnesota
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for Minnesota.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Minnesota |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Bland food |
| Heavy tax burdens | Cold snowy winters |
| Natural disasters | Terrible traffic |
| Terrible traffic | High tax burden |
| Strange laws | Thick accents |
What to know before your move to Minnesota
- Weather: Minnesota experiences temperature extremes characteristic of its continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Minnesota does experience weather such as: rain, snow, blizzards, thunderstorms, hail, derechos, tornadoes, and high-velocity straight-line winds.
- HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- State Licensing: To operate legally within the state, Minnesota household goods movers must have a current permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Before being granted operating authority, each moving company must file a public tariff, provide proof of insurance and submit a Certificate of Compliance to MnDOT. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Minnesota moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Minnesota does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Minnesota. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. In Minnesota, opt for the budget-friendly Released Value Protection provided by movers at no extra charge. While economical, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For full value coverage of your items, consult with your chosen moving company for alternatives or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Minnesota
While you’re in Minnesota, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Mall of America
- Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
- Cathedral of Saint Paul
- North Shore Scenic Drive
- Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
- Minnehaha Falls
- Munsinger Clemens Gardens
- Itasca State Park
- Valleyfair Amusement Park
- Voyageurs National Park
- International Wolf Center
- Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum
- Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge
- Gooseberry Falls State Park
- Devil’s Kettle
- Niagara Cave
- Greyhound Bus Museum
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Stone Arch Bridge
- Pipestone National Monument
- Guthrie Theater
- Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox Statues
- SPAM Museum
- Quarry Hill Nature Center
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Minnesota?
The cheapest way to move from California to Minnesota is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from California to Minnesota?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Minnesota are the amazing upsides of living in Minnesota such as ample economic opportunity and bountiful recreational outdoor opportunities.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Minnesota?
It is generally cheaper to live in Minnesota than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Minnesota, with average rent about 37% less and home prices 56.7% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Minnesota, most notably income taxes, which are more than 20% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Minnesota?
You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Minnesota you live For example, larger cities like Albert Lea and Alexandria will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
