Moving from Grand Rapids, MI to St. Paul, MN
It is a 457 mi drive, roughly 9h 31m, between Grand Rapids, MI and St. Paul, MN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
457 mi Β· 9h 31m by car Β· MN β WI β MI
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 96, US 31 BUS |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Madison, Milwaukee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Grand Rapids | St. Paul | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 104.822 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.775 | 93.493 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 103.065 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.596 | 111.838 | 100.0 |
St. Paul runs about 9.7% more expensive overall than Grand Rapids β RPP 95.546 β 104.822.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Grand Rapids +2.9%, St. Paul β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Grand Rapids | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 9Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 74.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.6" | 29.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 48.0Β°F vs 46.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: E GRAND RAPIDS, MI US, ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Grand Rapids | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 307,762 |
| Median household income | $65,526 | $73,055 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.5 |
Households in St. Paul earn about 9.7% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Paul 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 Michigan 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.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in St. Paul compare to Grand Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA vs $46,290 in the Grand Rapids MSA, on total employment of 1,911,030 and 536,790 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is St. Paul, MN from Grand Rapids, MI?
The driving distance is 457 mi and the route typically takes 9h 31m via I 94 and I 96. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Grand Rapids to St. Paul?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 457 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is St. Paul more expensive than Grand Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Paul is 9.7% higher than Grand Rapids (104.822 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Grand Rapids vs St. Paul?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,055 in St. Paul vs $65,526 in Grand Rapids β a 11.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Grand Rapids.
City profiles: Grand Rapids, MI Β· St. Paul, MN.