($1,467) Movers From Ann Arbor, MI to St. Paul, MN

What to know before moving from Ann Arbor to St. Paul

Moving from Ann Arbor to St. Paul comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since St. Paul is generally more expensive than Ann Arbor, 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 40% lower than in Ann Arbor, 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 41.4% lower than in Ann Arbor.
• Income in St. Paul is 5.2% lower than in Ann Arbor, 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 67.0% higher than in Ann Arbor. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in St. Paul is 19.7% lower than in Ann Arbor.
• The unemployment rate in St. Paul is 40.00% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in St. Paul, since the city’s sales taxes in St. Paul are 64.67% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• State income taxes in St. Paul are 131.76% higher than in Ann Arbor.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,008.73 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Ann Arbor.

How life is different in Ann Arbor vs. St. Paul

• The population of St. Paul is about 145% greater than Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor, based on public transportation ratings. St. Paul has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 7 in Ann Arbor. 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 Ann Arbor. St. Paul is considered more walkable than Ann Arbor, with a score of 60 out of 100 versus 52 out of 100 in Ann Arbor. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in St. Paul, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Ann Arbor. While Ann Arbor has a bike-friendliness score of 71 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 Ann Arbor, 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 31.0 in Ann Arbor. 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 Ann Arbor, whose index is Ann Arbor's 79.18. 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.
• You can breathe easy knowing that St. Paul has better air quality than in Ann Arbor. St. Paul has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Ann Arbor. 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 Ann Arbor 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