Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Los Angeles, CA
Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Los Angeles, CA is a 1907 mi cross-country relocation β about 33h 41m of driving through 7 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.
1907 mi Β· 33h 41m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β WY β SD β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β WY β SD β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, I 90, US 14 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Minneapolis | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 8.3% pricier overall in Los Angeles than Minneapolis on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Los Angeles typical home at $952,183 is 8.3% above Minneapolis at $330,882 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Minneapolis | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 46Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 8Β°F | 48Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 14.1" |
NOAA normals show Los Angeles running 18.0Β°F above Minneapolis on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Los Angeles sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 33 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.72 |
Household income lines up β $80,269 vs $80,366 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1907 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $330,882 in Minneapolis β a 187.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 1907 mi and the route typically takes 33h 41m via I 15 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Minneapolis vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $80,269 in Minneapolis β a 0.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 8.3% higher than Minneapolis (113.566 vs 104.822, 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 Minneapolis.
City profiles: Minneapolis, MN Β· Los Angeles, CA.