Minneapolis, MN to Riverside, CA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

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Quick answer: Moving from Minneapolis to Riverside typically costs $3,700–$8,700 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,819 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.

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  • Best overall value
  • Veteran owned
  • Portion to charity
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience

Cost to move from Minneapolis to Riverside

Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Riverside, CA typically costs $3,700–$8,700 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.

The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,819-mile move from Minneapolis to Riverside, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.

Studio Icon

Studio / 1 bedroom

  • Moving Company $2,800 - $6,300
  • Moving Container $1,600 - $3,200
  • Rental Truck $1,200 - $2,300
Two Three Bed Icon

2-3 bedrooms

  • Moving Company $3,700 - $8,700
  • Moving Container $2,300 - $4,700
  • Rental Truck $1,300 - $2,800
Four Bed Icon

4+ bedrooms

  • Moving Company $6,800 - $12,100
  • Moving Container $3,100 - $6,300
  • Rental Truck $1,600 - $3,500

Recent moving quotes for similar moves

  • Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $1,716 for a 4 bedroom using a rental truck.
  • Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $6,789 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
  • United Van Lines recently quoted $4,798 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
Recent Moving Price Estimates
The following are real, anonymized quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 48 hours. Prices change with dates and availability; use these as a ballpark, not a guarantee.
Budget Truck Rental
Plymouth, MN Hesperia, CA
Icon of a house 4 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Feb 18, 2026
Colonial Van Lines
Independence, MN Avocado Heights, CA
Icon of a house 4 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Feb 01, 2026
United Van Lines
Otsego, MN French Valley, CA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (small)
Icon of a calendar Jan 16, 2026
1-800-Pack-Rat
Farmington, MN Home Gardens, CA
Icon of a house Studio apartment
Icon of a calendar Jan 06, 2026
Joyce Van Lines
Lino Lakes, MN Montclair, CA
Icon of a house Studio apartment
Icon of a calendar Jan 01, 2026
North American Van Lines
West St. Paul, MN Yucaipa, CA
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 31, 2025
Safeway Moving
Blaine, MN Azusa, CA
Icon of a house Studio apartment
Icon of a calendar Dec 28, 2025
Mayflower Transit
North St. Paul, MN Ladera Ranch, CA
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 24, 2025
AB Moving
Coon Rapids, MN Vincent, CA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (large)
Icon of a calendar Dec 18, 2025
BLVD Moving
Heidelberg, MN Monrovia, CA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (large)
Icon of a calendar Dec 14, 2025

Key factors that influence moving costs from Minneapolis to Riverside

Your total cost will depend on:

  • The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $2,800, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $12,100.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Minneapolis, which means higher prices.
  • The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($1,200–$3,500) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.

Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Riverside, CA to Minneapolis, MN guide.

Best Minneapolis to Riverside movers by type

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Professional
Local Movers Icon
Local
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Container
Rental Truck Icon
Rental Truck
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Labor Only

Best professional movers from Minneapolis to Riverside

If you want to simplify your interstate move from Minneapolis to Riverside, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.

Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.

  1. Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  2. American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  3. Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
  4. Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  5. North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Safeway Moving
checkmark Best overall value
checkmark Veteran owned
checkmark Portion to charity
American Van Lines
checkmark Certified crews
checkmark Flat-rate pricing
checkmark Family-owned
Allied Van Lines
checkmark Specialty packing services
checkmark White-glove reputation
checkmark 80+ years' experience
Mayzlin Relocation
checkmark Family owned
checkmark East coast focus
checkmark Affordable pricing
North American Van Lines
checkmark 1,800 trucks
checkmark Storage available
checkmark Customized moving plans

How we chose the best MN→CA movers

At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 50 Minnesota moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.

  • Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
  • Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
  • Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
  • Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
  • Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

What to know before moving from Minneapolis to Riverside

Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Riverside runs about -34% higher for singles and 19% higher for families than Minneapolis.

Singles spend around $2,573 in Riverside versus $3,900 in Minneapolis; families pay $5,604 compared with $4,710.

Dig into the side-by-side details here:

Minneapolis Riverside
Average 1 BR rent $1,688 $2,163
Average 3 BR rent $2,707 $3,270
Average home value $312,602 $642,297
Average income (per capita) $70,099 $76,755
Cost of living (single) $3,900 $2,573
Cost of living (family of four) $4,710 $5,604
Unemployment rate 4.5% 7.1%
Sales tax 9.03% 8.75%
State income tax 9.85% 13.3%
  • Rent is estimated to be 55% higher in Riverside compared to Minneapolis; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
  • Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 105% greater in Riverside than in Minneapolis.
  • Here's some promising news: the average income is around 9% higher in Riverside than in Minneapolis, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
  • Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Riverside. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 34% lower than in Minneapolis.
  • When relocating to Riverside, it's important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Riverside is 19% greater than in Minneapolis.
  • In Riverside, the unemployment rate is approximately 58% higher than in Minneapolis, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
  • Sales taxes show little difference between Riverside and Minneapolis (around 5%), making it one less financial concern for your move.
  • Income taxes are 35% higher in California than in Minnesota, meaning that a larger fraction of your income will be spent on state taxes, potentially reducing your savings.

Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Minneapolis and Riverside:

Living Expense Minneapolis Riverside
Basic utilities $164.65 $226.85
Cell phone plan $50.68 $46.50
Dozen eggs $4.15 $5.45
Loaf of bread $3.75 $4.02
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) $18.00 $19.00
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) $75.00 $85.00
Gym membership $55.00 $35.00
  • Basic utilities cost less in Minneapolis than in Riverside, helping trim your monthly bills.
  • Cell phone plans typically cost more in Minneapolis than in Riverside.
  • Eggs are less expensive in Minneapolis than in Riverside.
  • Bread costs less in Minneapolis than in Riverside.
  • A quick meal is cheaper in Minneapolis than in Riverside.
  • A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Minneapolis than in Riverside.
  • Gym memberships cost more in Minneapolis than in Riverside.

How life is different in Minneapolis vs. Riverside

Minneapolis Riverside
Population 425,115 317,261
Transportation score 8 5
Walkability score 71 43
Bike friendliness score 83 49
Crime index 56.06 40.24
Safety index 43.94 59.76
Air quality Good Moderate
  • Riverside's population is about 25% less than Minneapolis.
  • Riverside's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is lower than Minneapolis's score of 8.
  • Riverside is less walkable than Minneapolis with a score of 43 out of 100 vs Minneapolis's 71 out of 100.
  • Riverside has a bike-friendliness score of 49 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Minneapolis, which has a score of 83.
  • Riverside's crime rate is lower than Minneapolis with a score of 40.24 compared to Minneapolis's 56.06. This means that Riverside neighborhoods are safer than 40.24% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Minneapolis neighborhoods are safer than 56.06%.
  • Riverside is considered to be safer than Minneapolis with a safety index of 59.76 vs Minneapolis's 43.94.
  • Air quality in Riverside is Moderate, and in Minneapolis it's Good.

Other things to consider for your Minneapolis to Riverside move

  • HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
  • Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
  • Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
  • State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
  • State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving Permits: California doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
  • Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Riverside. Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
  • Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.

Where to live in Riverside

Now that you've decided to make the move to City of Arts and Innovation, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Riverside.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Canyon Crest
  • Victoria
  • Downtown
  • Magnolia Center
  • La Sierra South

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Orangecrest
  • Mission Grove
  • Canyon Crest
  • Alessandro Heights
  • Victoria

Things to do in Riverside

Once you're settled into your new home in California, it's time to get out and discover what Riverside has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:

  • Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Riverside, such as the March Field Air Museum, Mission Inn Museum, Riverside Art Museum, and Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city's Mount Rubidoux Park, Fairmount Park, Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park, and Ryan Bonaminio Park — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
  • Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an California Baptist Lancers (College sports)UC Riverside Highlanders (College sports)Riverside City College Tigers (College sports): Baseball, Cheerleading, Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Water Polo, Softball, Beach Volleyball, Volleyball game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Minneapolis to Riverside?

The best time to move from Minneapolis to Riverside is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Minneapolis.

When is the cheapest time to move from Minneapolis to Riverside?

Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Minneapolis to Riverside, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.

How long does a move from Minneapolis to Riverside take?

Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Riverside, CA covers 1,819 miles and usually takes five to 16 days. Need to move faster? Some Minneapolis movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Riverside.

Which movers in Minneapolis give price breaks?

Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 3 movers here honor AAA discounts. 1 movers give special rates to military members. 2 movers have deals for seniors.

Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.

Who can move pianos or antiques in Minneapolis?

Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 28 movers in Minneapolis advertise piano moving expertise. 13 movers in Minneapolis provide antique moving services. State totals show 42 piano movers and 17 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.

Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.