($1,493) Movers From Austin, TX to St. Paul, MN

What to know before moving from Austin to St. Paul

Moving from Austin to St. Paul comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since St. Paul is generally more expensive than Austin, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in St. Paul are 24% lower than in Austin, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in St. Paul.
  Home prices in St. Paul are 45.3% lower than in Austin.
• Income in St. Paul is 7.0% lower than in Austin, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in St. Paul include Siemens, ACS Group, and 3M.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in St. Paul, since the cost of living for a single person in St. Paul is 8.6% higher than in Austin. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in St. Paul is 45.1% lower than in Austin.
• The unemployment rate in St. Paul is 40.00% higher than in Austin.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in St. Paul, since the city’s sales taxes in St. Paul are 19.76% higher than in Austin.
• State income taxes in St. Paul are 9.85% higher than in Austin.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,258.30 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Austin.

How life is different in Austin vs. St. Paul

• St. Paul might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 69% less than Austin.
• St. Paul offers better access to buses and trains than Austin, based on public transportation ratings. St. Paul has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 5 in Austin. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in St. Paul means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Austin. St. Paul is considered more walkable than Austin, with a score of 60 out of 100 versus 42 out of 100 in Austin. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, St. Paul is considered more bike-friendly than Austin in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. St. Paul has a bike-friendliness score of 64 out of 100, while Austin is rated as 54 out of 100.
• The crime rate in St. Paul is higher than in Austin, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 50.86 in St. Paul, it is 42.91 in Austin. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in St. Paul. With a crime index of 49.14, St. Paul ranks lower in overall safety than Austin, whose index is Austin's 59.87. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in St. Paul and Austin is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Austin vs. St. Paul move

• Weather: St. Paul has frigid and snowy winters, while summers are warm to hot and humid. St. Paul experiences a full range of precipitation and related weather events, including snow, sleet, ice, rain, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and fog
• HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Minnesota, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Minnesota doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to St. Paul without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in St. Paul

With your sights set on "Pigs Eye", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in St. Paul.

Helpful moving resources