($1,654) Movers From Missoula, MT to St. Paul, MN

What to know before moving from Missoula to St. Paul

Moving from Missoula to St. Paul comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since St. Paul is generally more expensive than Missoula, 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 2% higher than in Missoula, which means you’ll have less 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 48.9% lower than in Missoula.
• Income in St. Paul is 7.3% higher than in Missoula, so you could earn more 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 80.7% higher than in Missoula. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in St. Paul is 26.4% lower than in Missoula.
• The unemployment rate in St. Paul is 11.36% higher than in Missoula.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in St. Paul, since the city’s sales taxes in St. Paul are 9.88% higher than in Missoula.
• State income taxes in St. Paul are 45.93% higher than in Missoula.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,419.69 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Missoula.

How life is different in Missoula vs. St. Paul

• The population of St. Paul is about 290% greater than Missoula, 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 Missoula, based on public transportation ratings. St. Paul has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 5 in Missoula. 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 Missoula. St. Paul is considered more walkable than Missoula, with a score of 60 out of 100 versus 45 out of 100 in Missoula. 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 Missoula 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 Missoula is rated as 60 out of 100.
• The crime rate in St. Paul is higher than in Missoula, 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 33.27 in Missoula. 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 Missoula, whose index is Missoula's 66.73. 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 Missoula 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 Missoula 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