Moving from Bellevue, WA to Minneapolis, MN
Moving from Bellevue, WA to Minneapolis, MN is a 1651 mi cross-country relocation β about 28h 16m of driving through 5 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1651 mi Β· 28h 16m by car Β· MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Fargo, Billings, Spokane Valley, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | Minneapolis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 104.822 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 93.493 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 103.065 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 111.838 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Minneapolis are 5.7% below Bellevue β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Minneapolis typical home at $330,882 is 5.7% under Bellevue at $1,516,154 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Minneapolis +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bellevue | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 46Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 8Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 34.4" |
Minneapolis is 7.4Β°F cooler on the annual average (53.2Β°F vs 45.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 426,845 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $80,269 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 32.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.26 |
Median household income in Minneapolis is 5.7% below Bellevue ($161,300 vs $80,269, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Minneapolis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 233,400 | $49,210 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 158,540 | $40,720 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 154,580 | $81,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,950 | $31,400 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 144,720 | $46,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Minnesota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Minnesota's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Bellevue vs Minneapolis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,269 in Minneapolis vs $161,300 in Bellevue β a 50.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Bellevue to Minneapolis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1651 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Minneapolis, MN from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 1651 mi and the route typically takes 28h 16m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Minneapolis compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $330,882 in Minneapolis vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue β a 78.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Minneapolis compare to Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA, on total employment of 1,911,030 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Minneapolis more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Minneapolis is 5.7% lower than Bellevue (104.822 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA Β· Minneapolis, MN.