($1,626) Movers From Tacoma, WA to St. Paul, MN

What to know before moving from Tacoma to St. Paul

Moving from Tacoma 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 Tacoma than in St. Paul, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

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

• Rent prices in St. Paul are 18% lower than in Tacoma, 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 41.7% lower than in Tacoma.
• Income in St. Paul is 13.4% lower than in Tacoma, 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 12.1% lower than in Tacoma. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in St. Paul is 40.9% lower than in Tacoma.
• The unemployment rate in St. Paul is 32.88% lower than in Tacoma.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in St. Paul, since the city’s sales taxes in St. Paul are 4.08% lower than in Tacoma.
• State income taxes in St. Paul are 9.85% higher than in Tacoma.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,637.07 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Tacoma.

How life is different in Tacoma vs. St. Paul

• The population of St. Paul is about 35% greater than Tacoma, 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 Tacoma, based on public transportation ratings. St. Paul has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 6 in Tacoma. 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 Tacoma. St. Paul is considered more walkable than Tacoma, with a score of 60 out of 100 versus 54 out of 100 in Tacoma. 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma is rated as 48 out of 100.
• St. Paul has a lower crime rate than Tacoma based on scores of 50.86 and Tacoma's 55.55, 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 Tacoma, based on St. Paul’s safety index of 49.14 versus 44.45 for Tacoma. 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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