($1,592) Movers From Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN

What to know before moving from Modesto to St. Paul

Moving from Modesto to St. Paul comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since St. Paul is generally more expensive than Modesto, 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 25% lower than in Modesto, 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 37.1% lower than in Modesto.
• Income in St. Paul is 5.3% lower than in Modesto, 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 57.1% higher than in Modesto. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in St. Paul is 27.9% lower than in Modesto.
• The unemployment rate in St. Paul is 38.75% lower than in Modesto.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in St. Paul, since the city’s sales taxes in St. Paul are 11.26% higher than in Modesto.
• One perk of moving to St. Paul is paying less in state income taxes, which are 25.94% lower than in Modesto.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,714.10 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Modesto.

How life is different in Modesto vs. St. Paul

• The population of St. Paul is about 39% greater than Modesto, 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 Modesto, based on public transportation ratings. St. Paul has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 5 in Modesto. 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 Modesto. St. Paul is considered more walkable than Modesto, with a score of 60 out of 100 versus 48 out of 100 in Modesto. 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 Modesto 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 Modesto is rated as 48 out of 100.
• St. Paul has a lower crime rate than Modesto based on scores of 50.86 and Modesto's 65.76, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in St. Paul than in Modesto, based on St. Paul’s safety index of 49.14 versus 34.24 for Modesto. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that St. Paul has better air quality than in Modesto. St. Paul has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Modesto. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Modesto 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.

Helpful moving resources