Key factors that impact the cost of your St. Paul to Raleigh movetoggle

The cost of St. Paul movers will depend on:

  • Size of your move: The more items you have, the more your move will cost. A smaller move from St. Paul to Raleigh (like a one-bedroom) could be as low as $1,464, while larger moves may reach $9,655 for a four-bedroom home.
  • Seasonal demand: Moving in the summer? Expect to pay more โ€” itโ€™s the busiest time of year for movers in St. Paul.
  • DIY vs. hiring pros: You can cut costs by renting a truck (typically $897 to $2,291, but it requires more effort than hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from St. Paul to Raleigh

Moving from St. Paul to Raleigh comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Raleigh is generally more expensive than St. Paul, itโ€™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:

St. Paul Raleigh
Average rent cost $1,350 $1,670
Average home value $278,221 $431,795
Average income (per capita) $63,483 $2,572
Cost of living (single person) $3,633 $6,077
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,290 $6,077
Unemployment rate 4.9% 4.3%
Sales tax 9.88% 7.25%
State income tax 9.85% 4.5%
  • Rent prices in Raleigh are 24% higher than in St. Paul, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in St. Paul.
    Home prices in Raleigh are 55.2% higher than in St. Paul.
  • Income in Raleigh is 95.9% lower than in St. Paul, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Raleigh include State of North Carolina, WakeMed, and North Carolina State University.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Raleigh, since the cost of living for a single person in Raleigh is 67.3% higher than in St. Paul. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™re moving your family to Raleigh, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Raleigh is 41.7% higher than in St. Paul.
  • The unemployment rate in Raleigh is 12.24% lower than in St. Paul.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Raleigh, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Raleigh are 26.62% lower than in St. Paul.
  • One perk of moving to Raleigh is paying less in state income taxes, which are 54.31% lower than in St. Paul.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,018.17 in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in St. Paul.

How life is different in St. Paul vs. Raleigh

Raleigh St. Paul
Population 467,665 303,176
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 4 8
Walkability score 31 60
Bike friendliness score 39 64
Crime Index 38.87 50.86
Safety Index 60.13 49.14
Air Quality Moderate Good
  • The population of Raleigh is about 54% greater than St. Paul, 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.
  • Getting around Raleigh without a car might be more difficult than in St. Paul. Raleigh has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas St. Paul is ranked 8. Ratings are based on a cityโ€™s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
  • Raleigh neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as St. Paul. Based on its score of 31 out of 100, Raleigh isnโ€™t as walkable as St. Paul, which has a score of 60 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 wonโ€™t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Raleigh, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than St. Paul. While St. Paul has a bike-friendliness score of 64 out of 100, Raleigh earned a 39. 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.
  • Raleigh has a lower crime rate than St. Paul based on scores of 38.87 and St. Paul's 50.86, 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 Raleigh than in St. Paul, based on Raleighโ€™s safety index of 60.13 versus 49.14 for St. Paul. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
  • The air quality in Raleigh isnโ€™t as good as it is in St. Paul, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. Raleigh has an air quality rating of Moderate, and St. Paul is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.

Other things to consider for your St. Paul vs. Raleigh move

  • Weather: The climate in Raleigh is unlikely to affect your move. However, some days in the winter, the roads may become icy which causes traffic issues.
  • 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: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a โ€œC Numberโ€ issued by the commission, signifying that theyโ€™ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the stateโ€™s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT).Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
  • State regulator: You can check the status of a North Carolina moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: North Carolina doesn\โ€™t require moving permits, but it\โ€™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. Youโ€™ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Raleigh. Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company 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 Raleigh

Ready to relocate to "City of Oaks"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Raleigh.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Central Raleigh
  • Five Points
  • North Raleigh
  • Northwest Raleigh
  • West Raleigh

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Boylan Heights
  • Hayes Barton
  • North Hills
  • South Park
  • Brier Creek

Things to do in Raleigh

Now that you've made the move to North Carolina, itโ€™s the perfect time to explore Raleigh. From local hotspots to hidden gems, thereโ€™s something to enjoy for every lifestyle:

  • Arts and culture: Youโ€™ll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Raleigh, such as the African American Cultural Complex, Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh, Gregg Museum of Art & Design at North Carolina State University, Haywood Hall House & Gardens, and Marbles Kids Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Pullen Park, William B. Umstead State Park, Yates Mill County Park, and JC Raulston Arboretum โ€” along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
  • Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Carolina Hurricanes (NHL), North Carolina FC (USL), North Carolina Courage (NWSL), or Carolina Mudcats (MiLB) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Raleigh?

The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from St. Paul to Raleigh are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in St. Paul are lower.

When is the cheapest time to move from St. Paul to Raleigh?

With many people choosing to move from St. Paul to Raleigh 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 St. Paul to Raleigh take?

Moving from St. Paul, MN to Raleigh, NC covers 1,208 miles and usually takes two to eight days. Need to move faster? Some St. Paul movers offer expedited options. If youโ€™re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Raleigh.

Helpful moving resources