($1,477) Movers From Grand Rapids, MI to St. Paul, MN

What to know before moving from Grand Rapids to St. Paul

Moving from Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids than in St. Paul, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

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

• Rent prices in St. Paul are 19% lower than in Grand Rapids, 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 15.2% lower than in Grand Rapids.
• Income is the same in St. Paul and Grand Rapids. The top employers in St. Paul include Siemens, ACS Group, and 3M.
• The cost of living for a single person in St. Paul is 31.9% lower than in Grand Rapids. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in St. Paul is 40.1% lower than in Grand Rapids.
• The unemployment rate in St. Paul is 13.95% higher than in Grand Rapids.
• 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 Grand Rapids.
• State income taxes in St. Paul are 131.76% higher than in Grand Rapids.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,043.69 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Grand Rapids.

How life is different in Grand Rapids vs. St. Paul

• The population of St. Paul is about 52% greater than Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, based on public transportation ratings. St. Paul has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 6 in Grand Rapids. 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 Grand Rapids. St. Paul is considered more walkable than Grand Rapids, with a score of 60 out of 100 versus 56 out of 100 in Grand Rapids. 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 Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids is rated as 52 out of 100.
• The crime rate in St. Paul is higher than in Grand Rapids, 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 44.23 in Grand Rapids. 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 Grand Rapids, whose index is Grand Rapids's 55.77. 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 Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids 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