($1,708) Movers From Seattle, WA to St. Paul, MN

What to know before moving from Seattle to St. Paul

Moving from Seattle to St. Paul means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Seattle than in St. Paul, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Seattle compares to St. Paul so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in St. Paul are 32% lower than in Seattle, 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 67.0% lower than in Seattle.
• Income in St. Paul is 18.4% lower than in Seattle, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in St. Paul include Siemens, ACS Group, and 3M.
• The cost of living for a single person in St. Paul is 2.9% lower than in Seattle. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in St. Paul is 56.2% lower than in Seattle.
• The unemployment rate in St. Paul is 2.08% higher than in Seattle.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in St. Paul, since the city’s sales taxes in St. Paul are 4.54% lower than in Seattle.
• State income taxes in St. Paul are 9.85% higher than in Seattle.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,914.17 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Seattle.

How life is different in Seattle vs. St. Paul

• St. Paul might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 59% less than Seattle.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in St. Paul will be about the same as it currently is in Seattle. 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 Seattle. Based on its score of 60 out of 100, St. Paul isn’t as walkable as Seattle, which has a score of 74 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 Seattle. While Seattle has a bike-friendliness score of 71 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 Seattle based on scores of 50.86 and Seattle's 58.88, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• St. Paul is generally as safe as Seattle, 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 Seattle 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 Seattle 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Minnesota, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Minnesota doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to St. Paul without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in St. Paul

With your sights set on "Pigs Eye", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in St. Paul.

Helpful moving resources