Key factors that impact the cost of your Lansing to St. Paul move
What to know before moving from Lansing to St. Paul
Moving from Lansing to St. Paul comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since St. Paul is generally more expensive than Lansing, itโs 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:
Lansing | St. Paul | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,129 | $1,350 |
Average home value | $148,542 | $278,221 |
Average income (per capita) | $64,729 | $63,483 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,595 | $3,633 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,199 | $4,290 |
Unemployment rate | 7.4% | 4.9% |
Sales tax | 6.0% | 9.88% |
State income tax | 4.25% | 9.85% |
- Rent prices in St. Paul are 20% higher than in Lansing, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Lansing.
Home prices in St. Paul are 87.3% higher than in Lansing. - Income in St. Paul is 1.9% lower than in Lansing, 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 127.8% higher than in Lansing. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to St. Paul, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in St. Paul is 2.2% higher than in Lansing.
- The unemployment rate in St. Paul is 33.78% lower than in Lansing.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in St. Paul, since the cityโs sales taxes in St. Paul are 64.67% higher than in Lansing.
- State income taxes in St. Paul are 131.76% higher than in Lansing.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,833.23 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Lansing.
How life is different in Lansing vs. St. Paul
St. Paul | Lansing | |
---|---|---|
Population | 303,176 | 112,644 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 5 |
Walkability score | 60 | 46 |
Bike friendliness score | 64 | 55 |
Crime Index | 50.86 | 48.66 |
Safety Index | 49.14 | 51.34 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of St. Paul is about 169% greater than Lansing, 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 Lansing, based on public transportation ratings. St. Paul has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 5 in Lansing. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in St. Paul means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Lansing. St. Paul is considered more walkable than Lansing, with a score of 60 out of 100 versus 46 out of 100 in Lansing. A cityโs 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 Lansing 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 Lansing is rated as 55 out of 100.
- You can anticipate the same crime rate in St. Paul as Lansing. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80โ100.
- St. Paul is generally as safe as Lansing, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
- The air quality in St. Paul and Lansing 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 Lansing 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\โt require moving permits, but it\โs 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. Youโll 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.
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 youโre settled into your new home in Minnesota, itโs time to get out and discover what St. Paul has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs 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 cityโs 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 Lansing to St. Paul?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Lansing to St. Paul are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Lansing are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Lansing to St. Paul?
With many people choosing to move from Lansing 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 Lansing to St. Paul take?
Moving from Lansing, MI to St. Paul, MN covers 617 miles and usually takes one to six days. Need to move faster? Some Lansing movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in St. Paul.