Best California to Minnesota Movers + Moving Guide
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If you're moving from California to Minnesota and need first-hand information you can trust to make this 1,995 mile CA to MN move go smoothly, Great Guys Moving is here to help. We've analyzed 347 California to Minnesota moving companies and more than 20,000 movers nationwide to provide up-to-date and data-driven information about: which moving company to hire (our top recommendation is OCD Moving Services LLC), how much the move costs (approximately $2,500 - $8,500 depending on how much stuff you have), and what it will be like living in California compared to Minnesota. With a move this big, you want big data on your side and Great Guys Moving is your trusted ally to help you sift through the noise to make informed moving decisions.
Best California to Minnesota Moving Companies
| Rank | Company Name | Rating  | Affordability Index | License | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OCD Moving Services LLC | 9.66 | 9.47 | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| 2 | Pure Moving | 9.64 | 9.49 | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| 3 | Murdock's Moving & Hauling Inc. | 9.63 | 9.59 | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| 4 | Best California Movers | 9.52 | 9.73 | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| 5 | Metro Movers | 9.49 | 9.73 | Authorized For Property | Contact |
| 6 | General Expert Moving Service LLC | 9.27 | 8.89 | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
(800) 787-5428Cost to Move from California to Minnesota
Moving a 1 bedroom apartment 1,995 miles from California to Minnesota will cost on average $3,478 to hire full service movers. A 3 bedroom CA to MN move is roughly $8,391. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by type of move and home size. Pricing will vary based upon the exact locations of pickup in California and dropoff in Minnesota as well as several other factors. The most important pricing component that is often overlooked is how far away the move date is. The earlier you can reserve California to Minnesota movers, the better your pricing and options will be.
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume of Packed Items (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,334 | 300 ft³ | 7.78 |
| 1 Bedroom | $3,478 | 450 ft³ | 7.73 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $5,759 | 750 ft³ | 7.68 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $8,391 | 1100 ft³ | 7.63 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $12,125 | 1600 ft³ | 7.58 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $13,551 | 1800 ft³ | 7.53 |
Moving in the opposite direction? Here is our moving from Minnesota to California guide.
Popular California to Minnesota Moving Destinations
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Trusted. Licensed. Insured. Hire the best out of state movers. Moving to another state just got easier.Most Popular California to Minnesota Moving Routes
Compare the 6 Best CA to MN Movers
These are the top recommended movers based on our unbiased & regularly updated ranking algorithm (NOT paid promotions)
OCD Moving Services LLC
5914 Cobblestone Ct
El Sobrante, CA, 94803
About OCD Moving Services LLC
For over five years, OCD Moving Services LLC has been providing Oakland and the Bay Area with residential and commercial relocation...
Services
- Local Moving
- Long Distance Moving
- Commercial Moving
Interstate Moving License
USDOT / MC Status Entity Type | 2597230 / 911812 Authorized For HHG Carrier |
| Registered Trucks/Vans | 6 |
| Registered Drivers | 6 |
| Total Annual Miles Moved | 153,000 (2022) |
Pure Moving
1450 2nd St ste 225
Santa Monica, CA, 90401
About Pure Moving
Pure Moving has six locations across California, including an office in Los Angeles. This locally operated business moves over 10,000 clients...
Services
- Residential moving
- Commercial moving
- Long-distance moving
Interstate Moving License
USDOT / MC Status Entity Type | 3207734 / 1115049 Authorized For HHG Carrier |
| Registered Trucks/Vans | 1 |
| Registered Drivers | 1 |
| Total Annual Miles Moved | 100,000 (2022) |
Murdock's Moving & Hauling Inc.
Chico, CA, 95973
About Murdock's Moving & Hauling Inc.
Murdock's Moving & Hauling Inc. makes it a point to go above and beyond in every moving job. This includes giving...
Services
- Local & Long Distance Moving
- Residential Moving
- Commercial Moving
Interstate Moving License
USDOT / MC Status Entity Type | 3421940 / 1416634 Authorized For HHG Carrier |
| Registered Trucks/Vans | 6 |
| Registered Drivers | 9 |
| Total Annual Miles Moved | 100,000 (2024) |
Best California Movers
Glendale, CA, 91206
About Best California Movers
Best California Movers is a family-owned moving company based in Southern California, with over six years of experience in the industry....
Services
- Cheap moving services
- Local moving services
- Long-distance moving services
Interstate Moving License
USDOT / MC Status Entity Type | 3489907 / 1173381 Authorized For HHG Carrier |
| Registered Trucks/Vans | 12 |
| Registered Drivers | 12 |
| Total Annual Miles Moved | 157,000 (2023) |
Metro Movers
434 Blake Rd N
Hopkins, MN, 55343
About Metro Movers
Metro Movers, a licensed and insured transport and logistics company in Minnesota, was founded by two childhood friends with a shared...
Services
- Residential Moving
- Business Moving
- Long Distance Residential Moving
Interstate Moving License
USDOT / MC Status Entity Type | 3742268 / 1503884 Authorized For Property Carrier |
| Registered Trucks/Vans | 3 |
| Registered Drivers | 3 |
| Total Annual Miles Moved | 16,000 (2023) |
General Expert Moving Service LLC
3804 22nd Ave S
Minneapolis, MN, 55407
About General Expert Moving Service LLC
General Expert Moving Service LLC is a family-owned moving company based in Minnesota. It started with two brothers and a pickup...
Services
- Cheap moving
- Local moving
- Long-distance moving
Interstate Moving License
USDOT / MC Status Entity Type | 2846187 / 1285395 Authorized For HHG Carrier/Shipper |
| Registered Trucks/Vans | 5 |
| Registered Drivers | 24 |
| Total Annual Miles Moved | 30,000 (2024) |
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
Pros and Cons of Moving from California to Minnesota
Moving from one state to another offers a unique blend of challenges and opportunities. This comparison aims to provide an honest reflection of the good and the bad attributes of relocating from California to Minnesota . Understanding both sides will help you make a more informed decision about this significant change.
California- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Wildfire risk
- Earthquake risk
Minnesota- More affordable
- Less traffic
- Greener landscapes
- Safer environment
Minnesota- Colder winters
- Lack of ocean
- Quieter nightlife
- Less variety
California- Mild winters
- Beaches
- Entertainment hubs
- Diverse cuisine
When moving from California's bustling cities to the serene landscapes of Minnesota, you'll find a dramatic shift in lifestyle. Minnesota's ample green parks, such as the Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis, offer a peaceful retreat from city life. For those who enjoy dining out, you'll find an array of cozy, family-owned restaurants like The Bachelor Farmer in downtown Minneapolis, which serves a modern Nordic-inspired cuisine. While California is known for its iconic beaches and entertainment, Minnesota offers its own charm with beautiful lakes, less congested living, and a strong sense of community, particularly in popular areas like the Twin Cities and Duluth. Despite its colder winters, Minnesota hosts vibrant outdoor activities like the Holidazzle festival in Minneapolis, ensuring there's always something to explore in your new home.
California vs. Minnesota Food Guide
Food plays a pivotal role in understanding the local culture and lifestyle of a place. This section aims to offer a clear picture by showcasing a comparison of the local cuisine between California & Minnesota. By examining the food scenes, you'll be better equipped to embrace your new home's culinary delights.
| California | Minnesota | |
|---|---|---|
| Most iconic local food item | Fish Tacos | Hotdish |
| Most popular meat dish | Tri-tip BBQ | Walleye |
| Most popular street food item | Tacos | Juicy Lucy |
| Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Wild Rice Soup |
| Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
| Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
| Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
| Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
| Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
California's culinary scene exudes a vibrant and health-conscious vibe, reflected by its love for dishes like fish tacos and the ubiquitous avocado toast. Iconic restaurants such as The French Laundry in Yountville and Chez Panisse in Berkeley highlight the state's commitment to fresh, farm-to-table dining. In contrast, Minnesota presents a hearty comfort food scene with its famous hotdish and the legendary Juicy Lucy burger, best found in local joints like Matt's Bar in Minneapolis. The distinction in foodie cultures between these states also extends to street food and vegan options, promising a diverse gastronomic adventure for anyone moving from the sunny coasts of California to the lakeside eateries of Minnesota.
Ready to start your move?
California vs. Minnesota Real Estate & Living Facts
Real estate remains a critical element when relocating. Understanding how California and Minnesota compare in terms of housing, from costs to lifestyle, can significantly influence your decision-making process. This comparison aims to highlight key differences and similarities to help guide your move.
| Comparison | California | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial, Modern | Prairie Style, Cape Cod |
| Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
| Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
| Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
| Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Outdoor living spaces, Pools | Lakeside views, Large backyards |
The transition from California to Minnesota encompasses significant changes, particularly in housing affordability and lifestyle preferences. The stark contrast in median home prices and monthly rent highlights Minnesota's more accessible real estate market. Additionally, the prevalent architecture styles reflect the cultural and environmental differences, with Minnesota favoring homes that embrace its picturesque landscapes and colder climate. Interestingly, Minnesota boasts higher walkability and bikeability scores, indicative of its robust community planning and emphasis on outdoor recreation—factors that might appeal to those seeking a balanced urban-nature lifestyle. With unique features like lakeside views in Minnesota dominating real estate listings, the move invites an exciting exploration of new terrains and lifestyles.
California vs. Minnesota Weather Considerations
Moving from one place to another requires adapting to new climates. Understanding how weather differs between California and Minnesota is crucial. This comparison aims to highlight the most significant climatic variations to help you prepare for your move.
California
Minnesota
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
California
Minnesota
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
California
Minnesota
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
California
Minnesota
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
| Comparison | California | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Air Quality | Variable, urban areas can be poor | Generally good |
| Natural Disasters | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
| Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
| Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
| Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
When moving from California to Minnesota, prepare for more drastic seasonal changes. Minnesota's winters are significantly colder, with average lows in the single digits, and it experiences much more snowfall—an average of 54 inches annually compared to California's minimal to none, save for mountain areas. Despite having fewer days of sunshine, Minnesota generally boasts better air quality, except in industrial or densely populated areas where pollution can still be a concern. Both states share common allergens, but the humidity and type of vegetation can affect how severely you experience these allergies.
Ready to start your move?
Money, Economy, and Job Market Considerations for Moving from California to Minnesota
When planning a move from California to Minnesota, it’s crucial to compare the financial aspects affecting your daily life. Understanding how the cost of living, taxes, and average income in California stack up against those in Minnesota will better prepare you for the transition and help manage your expectations.
| Comparison | California | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Household Income | $91,551 | $82,338 |
| Cost of Living Index | 136.4 | 98.75 |
| State Income Tax | 1% - 13.3% | 5.35% - 9.85% |
| Avg. Property Tax | 0.73% | 1.08% |
| Avg. Sales Tax | 8.56% | 7.43% |
| Top 3 Industries | Technology, Agriculture, Entertainment | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Medical Devices |
| Affluence | High | Moderate |
| Poverty | Lower | Lower |
| Homelessness | High | Lower |
Moving from California to Minnesota brings significant financial changes, especially regarding cost of living and taxes. Despite California's higher average household income, its substantially higher cost of living index and wide range of state income tax rates can strain budgets. Minnesota offers a more moderate cost of living and a simpler state income tax structure, allowing for potentially greater financial stability. Furthermore, despite the perceived affluence in California, Minnesota's burgeoning industries in manufacturing and medical devices highlight its economic resilience and opportunities for professionals.
California vs. Minnesota Political & Religious Comparison
This guide provides a quick glance at the comparison of the politics between California & Minnesota to help you understand the political and religious makeup of residents in these states. Whether you're concerned about voting trends or seeking a community that shares your religious views, this comparison offers a snapshot to aid your move.
| California | Minnesota | |
|---|---|---|
| Political Make-up | Liberal, Democratic-majority | Mixed, with Democratic lean in urban areas |
| Local Politics | Progressive policies in urban areas | Progressive in cities, conservative in rural areas |
| Religion | Diverse, with no single dominant faith | Christianity predominant, with Lutheran heritage influential |
The political landscape of California and Minnesota reflects the diverse nature of the United States. While California is known for its liberal stance, particularly in its urban centers like Los Angeles and San Francisco, Minnesota presents a more complex picture. In Minnesota, you'll find a state that swings politically, with a Democratic lean in cities such as Minneapolis and St. Paul but conservative values holding sway in many rural areas. This blend creates a mix of policies and sentiments across the state. In terms of religion, California's residents practice a wide array of faiths, underscoring the state's vast cultural diversity. Meanwhile, Minnesota has a strong Lutheran heritage, although its cities are increasingly diverse in religious practice. Understanding these nuances will help you transition smoothly into your new community.
Education Guide When Moving from California to Minnesota
Moving from one state to another can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to education for your children or for future collegiate pursuits. To help in this transition, we've compiled a comparative guide highlighting the key educational differences. The purpose of this chart is to better understand the comparisons between school options from California to Minnesota.
| California | Minnesota |
|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) UCLA UC Berkeley StanfordUniversity of Minnesota Carleton College Macalester College | |
Top 3 Elementary Schools Point Vicente Elementary Rancho Santa Fe Montecito UnionScenic Heights Elementary Deephaven Elementary Greenwood Elementary | |
Top 3 Middle Schools Miller Creek Middle Carmel Valley Middle Mesa Verde MiddleWayzata East Middle Minnetonka Middle East Wayzata Central Middle | |
Top 3 High Schools Henry M. Gunn High Palo Alto High Troy HighWayzata High Edina High Minnetonka High | |
Top 3 private high schools The Thacher School Harvard-Westlake Phillips AcademyBreck School The Blake School St. Paul Academy | |
Top 3 private K-12 schools The Harker School Stanford Online High Brentwood SchoolMounds Park Academy Breck School The Blake School | |
Top 3 School Districts Los Gatos-Saratoga Palo Alto Unified San Ramon Valley UnifiedMinnetonka Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools Edina Public Schools | |
Exploring the top educational institutions in both California and Minnesota provides fascinating insights. For instance, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and UC Berkeley are renowned for their diverse programs and research opportunities, attracting students nationally. Similarly, the University of Minnesota stands out in the Midwest for its research, especially in medical and technological fields. When it comes to K-12 education, the focus shifts slightly. Schools in California, like The Harker School in San Jose, known for its strong STEM program, offer a contrast to Minnesota's Mounds Park Academy in Saint Paul, with its emphasis on liberal arts and individualized attention. Minnesota’s public schools, such as those in the Wayzata and Edina districts, are lauded for their high standards and achievement levels, mirroring the excellent reputations of select districts in California.
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