($1,384) Movers From Boston, MA to St. Paul, MN

What to know before moving from Boston to St. Paul

Moving from Boston to St. Paul means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Boston than in St. Paul, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Boston compares to St. Paul so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in St. Paul are 60% lower than in Boston, 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 62.4% lower than in Boston.
• Income in St. Paul is 28.8% lower than in Boston, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in St. Paul include Siemens, ACS Group, and 3M.
• The cost of living for a single person in St. Paul is 24.6% lower than in Boston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in St. Paul is 62.0% lower than in Boston.
• The unemployment rate in St. Paul is 20.97% lower than in Boston.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in St. Paul, since the city’s sales taxes in St. Paul are 58.08% higher than in Boston.
• State income taxes in St. Paul are 9.44% higher than in Boston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,261.20 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Boston.

How life is different in Boston vs. St. Paul

• St. Paul might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 55% less than Boston.
• Getting around St. Paul without a car might be more difficult than in Boston. St. Paul has a public transportation score of 8 out of 10, whereas Boston is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• St. Paul neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Boston. Based on its score of 60 out of 100, St. Paul isn’t as walkable as Boston, which has a score of 98 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in St. Paul, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Boston. While Boston has a bike-friendliness score of 86 out of 100, St. Paul earned a 64. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in St. Paul is higher than in Boston, 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 39.88 in Boston. 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 Boston, whose index is Boston's 60.12. 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 Boston 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 Boston 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Minnesota moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Minnesota 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: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to St. Paul. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in St. Paul

Ready to relocate to "Pigs Eye"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in St. Paul.

Helpful moving resources