Key factors that impact the cost of your Lancaster to St. Paul movetoggle

The cost of Lancaster movers will depend on:

  • Size of your move: The more items you have, the more your move will cost. A smaller move from Lancaster to St. Paul (like a one-bedroom) could be as low as $1,602, while larger moves may reach $11,630 for a four-bedroom home.
  • Seasonal demand: Moving in the summer? Expect to pay more โ€” itโ€™s the busiest time of year for movers in Lancaster.
  • DIY vs. hiring pros: You can cut costs by renting a truck (typically $1,279 to $3,515, but it requires more effort than hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Lancaster to St. Paul

Moving from Lancaster to St. Paul comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since St. Paul is generally more expensive than Lancaster, itโ€™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:

Lancaster St. Paul
Average rent cost $2,600 $1,350
Average home value $473,053 $278,221
Average income (per capita) $74,723 $63,483
Cost of living (single person) $2,540 $3,633
Cost of living (family of 4) $5,562 $4,290
Unemployment rate 15.6% 4.9%
Sales tax 10.25% 9.88%
State income tax 13.3% 9.85%
  • Rent prices in St. Paul are 48% lower than in Lancaster, which means youโ€™ll have more money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in St. Paul.
    Home prices in St. Paul are 41.2% lower than in Lancaster.
  • Income in St. Paul is 15.0% lower than in Lancaster, 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 43.0% higher than in Lancaster. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • The cost of living for a family in St. Paul is 22.9% lower than in Lancaster.
  • The unemployment rate in St. Paul is 68.59% lower than in Lancaster.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in St. Paul, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in St. Paul are 3.61% lower than in Lancaster.
  • One perk of moving to St. Paul is paying less in state income taxes, which are 25.94% lower than in Lancaster.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,290.94 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Lancaster.

How life is different in Lancaster vs. St. Paul

St. Paul Lancaster
Population 303,176 173,516
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 8 0
Walkability score 60 29
Bike friendliness score 64 40
Crime Index 50.86 45.5
Safety Index 49.14 54.5
Air Quality Good Good
  • The population of St. Paul is about 75% greater than Lancaster, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
  • St. Paul offers better access to buses and trains than Lancaster, based on public transportation ratings. St. Paul has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 0 in Lancaster. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
  • Living in St. Paul means youโ€™ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Lancaster. St. Paul is considered more walkable than Lancaster, with a score of 60 out of 100 versus 29 out of 100 in Lancaster. A cityโ€™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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster is rated as 40 out of 100.
  • The crime rate in St. Paul is higher than in Lancaster, 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 45.5 in Lancaster. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโ€™s crime levels.
  • You may want to exercise more caution as youโ€™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 Lancaster, whose index is Lancaster's 54.5. 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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster 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: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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: 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
  • 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to St. Paul. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.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 will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in St. Paul

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Pigs Eye", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in St. Paul.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Downtown
  • St. Anthony Park
  • Summit Hill
  • Summit-University
  • Union Park

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Macalester-Groveland
  • Summit Hill
  • Highland
  • Union Park
  • St. Anthony Park

Things to do in St. Paul

Once youโ€™re settled into your new home in Minnesota, itโ€™s time to get out and discover what St. Paul has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโ€™s something for everyone here:

  • Arts and culture: St. Paul features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Science Museum of Minnesota, Minnesota History Center, Historic Fort Snelling, James J. Hill House, and Minnesota Children's Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Rice Park, Mears Park, Harriet Island Regional Park, and Indian Mounds Regional Park โ€” among other spots โ€” perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
  • Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Minnesota Wild (NHL), St. Paul Saints (MiLB), St. Paul Twin Stars (NPSL), or Minnesota United FC (MLS) game.

FAQ

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

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

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

With many people choosing to move from Lancaster to St. Paul in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.

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

Moving from Lancaster, CA to St. Paul, MN covers 1,913 miles and usually takes five to 16 days. Need to move faster? Some Lancaster movers offer expedited options. If youโ€™re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in St. Paul.

Helpful moving resources