St. Paul, MN to Arlington, VA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

How we chose the best MN→VA movers

Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 50 Minnesota moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.

Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

What to know before moving from St. Paul to Arlington

Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Arlington runs about 89% higher for singles and 179% higher for families than St. Paul.

Singles spend around $6,867 in Arlington versus $3,633 in St. Paul; families pay $11,970 compared with $4,290.

Dig into the side-by-side details here:

	St. Paul	Arlington
Average 1 BR rent		$2,475
Average 3 BR rent		$4,350
Average home value	$278,221	$810,670
Average income (per capita)	$63,483	$128,145
Cost of living (single)	$3,633	$6,867
Cost of living (family of four)	$4,290	$11,970
Unemployment rate	4.9%	4.0%
Sales tax	9.88%	6.0%
State income tax	9.85%	5.75%

source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation

As you consider relocating to Arlington, note that rent can be roughly 101% more expensive than it is in St. Paul; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 191% higher in Arlington than in St. Paul.
Great news! You'll find the average income is about 102% higher in Arlington compared to St. Paul, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
Plan for higher expenses in Arlington, since the cost of living for a single person is 89% more than in St. Paul. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
If your journey leads to Arlington, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Arlington is 179% more than it is in St. Paul.
Arlington experiences an unemployment rate that is about 18% lower than that of St. Paul. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
Sales taxes are 39% lower in Arlington than in St. Paul. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Arlington can reduce your overall living expenses.
Income taxes are 42% lower in Virginia compared to Minnesota. With these reduced income tax rates, your paycheck will reflect more of your earnings, allowing you greater freedom in managing your finances.

The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing St. Paul with Arlington:

Living Expense	St. Paul	Arlington
Basic utilities		$208.70
Cell phone plan		$59.67
Dozen eggs		$4.26
Loaf of bread		$4.18
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal)		$24.50
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant)		$90.00
Gym membership		$77.25

How life is different in St. Paul vs. Arlington

	St. Paul	Arlington
Population	303,176	238,643
Transportation score	8	9
Walkability score	60	71
Bike friendliness score	64	72
Crime index	50.86	15.67
Safety index	49.14	79.15
Air quality	Good	Good

source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

Arlington's population is about 21% less than St. Paul.
Arlington's public transportation score of 9 out of 10 is higher than St. Paul's score of 8.
Arlington is more walkable than St. Paul with a score of 71 out of 100 vs St. Paul's 60 out of 100.
With a score of 72 out of 100, Arlington is more bike-friendly than St. Paul, which has a score of 64 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
Arlington's crime rate is lower than St. Paul with a score of 15.67 compared to St. Paul's 50.86. This means that Arlington neighborhoods are safer than 15.67% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and St. Paul neighborhoods are safer than 50.86%.
Arlington is considered to be safer than St. Paul with a safety index of 79.15 vs St. Paul's 49.14.
Air quality in Arlington is Good, and in St. Paul it's Good.

Other things to consider for your St. Paul to Arlington move

HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
State licensing: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
Moving Permits: While Virginia doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Arlington smoothly. Start the process here.
Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Arlington

Now that you've chosen as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Arlington to check out.

Best neighborhoods for singles

Aurora Highlands
Ballston-Virginia Square
Bluemont
Clarendon-Courthouse
Radnor-Ft Myer Heights

Best neighborhoods for families

Arlington Ridge
Barcroft
Chain Bridge Forest
Cherrydale
Dominion Hills
Forest Glen
Lyon Village
Penrose
Westover Village

Things to do in Arlington

After getting comfortable in your new Virginia home, it's time to see what Arlington is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:

Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Arlington offers cultural landmarks like the JW Tumbles, Ball-Sellers House Museum, David M. Brown Planetarium, and Arlington Historical Museum.
Outdoor recreation: The city's Gravelly Point Park, Long Bridge Park, Bon Air Park, and Upton Hill Regional Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Arlington Youth Football Club game.

source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQ

When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Arlington?

The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from St. Paul to Arlington are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in St. Paul are lower.

When is the cheapest time to move from St. Paul to Arlington?

Because spring and fall moves from St. Paul to Arlington are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.

How long does a move from St. Paul to Arlington take?

A move of 1,106 miles from St. Paul, MN to Arlington, VA generally takes two to eight days. Movers in St. Paul sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Arlington is a good fallback if you need extra time.

Which discounts can you find from movers in St. Paul?

Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. In St. Paul, 3 movers provide AAA member discounts. 1 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 2 extend savings to senior citizens.

Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.

Which movers in St. Paul offer piano or antique moving?

Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 28 movers in St. Paul have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 13 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across MN, there are 42 piano movers and 17 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.

Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.