Minneapolis, MN to Arlington, VA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

How we chose the best MN→VA movers

At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 50 Minnesota moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

What to know before moving from Minneapolis to Arlington

Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Arlington runs about 76% higher for singles and 154% higher for families than Minneapolis.

Singles spend around $6,867 in Arlington versus $3,900 in Minneapolis; families pay $11,970 compared with $4,710.

Dig into the side-by-side details here:

	Minneapolis	Arlington
Average 1 BR rent	$1,688	$2,475
Average 3 BR rent	$2,707	$4,350
Average home value	$312,602	$810,670
Average income (per capita)	$70,099	$128,145
Cost of living (single)	$3,900	$6,867
Cost of living (family of four)	$4,710	$11,970
Unemployment rate	4.5%	4.0%
Sales tax	9.03%	6.0%
State income tax	9.85%	5.75%

source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation

Rent is estimated to be 83% higher in Arlington compared to Minneapolis; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 159% greater in Arlington than in Minneapolis.
Here's some promising news: the average income is around 83% higher in Arlington than in Minneapolis, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
Be sure to budget for higher bills in Arlington, since the cost of living for a single person in Arlington is 76% higher than in Minneapolis. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
When relocating to Arlington, it's important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Arlington is 154% greater than in Minneapolis.
Arlington enjoys an unemployment rate that's roughly 11% lower compared to Minneapolis, suggesting better job prospects and a dynamic economy—an appealing prospect for new residents.
Sales taxes drop 34% in Arlington compared to Minneapolis, providing a relief on your cost of living, especially for frequent shoppers.
Income taxes are 42% less in Virginia than in Minnesota. With these lower tax rates, you can enjoy more take-home pay, simplifying your financial management.

Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Minneapolis and Arlington:

Living Expense	Minneapolis	Arlington
Basic utilities	$164.65	$208.70
Cell phone plan	$50.68	$59.67
Dozen eggs	$4.15	$4.26
Loaf of bread	$3.75	$4.18
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal)	$18.00	$24.50
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant)	$75.00	$90.00
Gym membership	$55.00	$77.25

Basic utilities cost less in Minneapolis than in Arlington, helping trim your monthly bills.
Cell phone plans are cheaper in Minneapolis than in Arlington.
Eggs are less expensive in Minneapolis than in Arlington.
Bread costs less in Minneapolis than in Arlington.
A quick meal is cheaper in Minneapolis than in Arlington.
A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Minneapolis than in Arlington.
Gym memberships are more affordable in Minneapolis than in Arlington.

How life is different in Minneapolis vs. Arlington

	Minneapolis	Arlington
Population	425,115	238,643
Transportation score	8	9
Walkability score	71	71
Bike friendliness score	83	72
Crime index	56.06	15.67
Safety index	43.94	79.15
Air quality	Good	Good

source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

Arlington's population is about 44% less than Minneapolis.
Arlington's public transportation score of 9 out of 10 is higher than Minneapolis's score of 8.
Arlington and Minneapolis are similarly walkable.
Arlington has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Minneapolis, which has a score of 83.
Arlington's crime rate is lower than Minneapolis with a score of 15.67 compared to Minneapolis's 56.06. This means that Arlington neighborhoods are safer than 15.67% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Minneapolis neighborhoods are safer than 56.06%.
Arlington is considered to be safer than Minneapolis with a safety index of 79.15 vs Minneapolis's 43.94.
Air quality in Arlington is Good, and in Minneapolis it's Good.

Other things to consider for your Minneapolis to Arlington move

HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
State licensing: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
Moving Permits: Virginia 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: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Arlington. Start the process here.
Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.

Where to live in Arlington

Now that you've decided to make the move to , these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Arlington.

Best neighborhoods for singles

Aurora Highlands
Ballston-Virginia Square
Bluemont
Clarendon-Courthouse
Radnor-Ft Myer Heights

Best neighborhoods for families

Arlington Ridge
Barcroft
Chain Bridge Forest
Cherrydale
Dominion Hills
Forest Glen
Lyon Village
Penrose
Westover Village

Things to do in Arlington

Once you're settled into your new home in Virginia, it's time to get out and discover what Arlington has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:

Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Arlington, such as the JW Tumbles, Ball-Sellers House Museum, David M. Brown Planetarium, and Arlington Historical Museum.
Outdoor recreation: The city's Gravelly Point Park, Long Bridge Park, Bon Air Park, and Upton Hill Regional Park — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Arlington Youth Football Club game.

source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Minneapolis to Arlington?

The best time to move from Minneapolis to Arlington is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Minneapolis.

When is the cheapest time to move from Minneapolis to Arlington?

Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Minneapolis to Arlington, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.

How long does a move from Minneapolis to Arlington take?

Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Arlington, VA covers 1,116 miles and usually takes two to eight days. Need to move faster? Some Minneapolis movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Arlington.

Which movers in Minneapolis give price breaks?

Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 3 movers here honor AAA discounts. 1 movers give special rates to military members. 2 movers have deals for seniors.

Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.

Who can move pianos or antiques in Minneapolis?

Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 28 movers in Minneapolis advertise piano moving expertise. 13 movers in Minneapolis provide antique moving services. State totals show 42 piano movers and 17 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.

Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.