Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Chandler, AZ
Cross-country relocations like Minneapolis, MN → Chandler, AZ cover 1642 mi and about 30h 12m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1642 mi · 30h 12m by car · MN → IA → MO → KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | MN → IA → MO → KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 54, I 40, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Des Moines, Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Minneapolis | Chandler | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Chandler and Minneapolis are close on the overall BEA RPP (104.822 vs 103.316); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Chandler typical home at $524,156 is 1.4% above Minneapolis at $330,882 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, Chandler -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | Chandler |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 278,123 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $103,691 |
| Median age | 33 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 28.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.63 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 1.4% between Minneapolis and Chandler (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chandler MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 — check MnDOT 511.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis to Chandler?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1642 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Chandler compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Chandler MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Chandler more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chandler is 1.4% lower than Minneapolis (103.316 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Minneapolis vs Chandler?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,691 in Chandler vs $80,269 in Minneapolis — a 29.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Chandler compared to Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $524,156 in Chandler vs $330,882 in Minneapolis — a 58.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Chandler, AZ from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 1642 mi and the route typically takes 30h 12m via US 54 and I 40. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Minneapolis.
City profiles: Minneapolis, MN · Chandler, AZ.