($1,682) Movers From Portland, OR to St. Paul, MN

What to know before moving from Portland to St. Paul

Moving from Portland to St. Paul comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since St. Paul is generally more expensive than Portland, 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 12% lower than in Portland, 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 46.8% lower than in Portland.
• Income in St. Paul is 26.1% lower than in Portland, 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 41.3% higher than in Portland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in St. Paul is 29.4% lower than in Portland.
• The unemployment rate in St. Paul is 28.99% lower than in Portland.
• 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 Portland.
• State income taxes are the same in St. Paul and Portland.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,237.56 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Portland.

How life is different in Portland vs. St. Paul

• St. Paul might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 54% less than Portland.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in St. Paul will be about the same as it currently is in Portland. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• St. Paul neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Portland. Based on its score of 60 out of 100, St. Paul isn’t as walkable as Portland, which has a score of 81 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 won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in St. Paul, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Portland. While Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 92 out of 100, St. Paul earned a 64. 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.
• St. Paul has a lower crime rate than Portland based on scores of 50.86 and Portland's 57.37, 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 St. Paul than in Portland, based on St. Paul’s safety index of 49.14 versus 42.63 for Portland. 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 St. Paul and Portland 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 Portland 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Minnesota moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Minnesota, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• 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 toSt. Paul Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in St. Paul

Now that you’ve chosen "Pigs Eye" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in St. Paul to check out.

Helpful moving resources