Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Mesquite, TX
It is 944 mi between Minneapolis and Mesquite β roughly 17h 30m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
944 mi Β· 17h 30m by car Β· MN β IA β MO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β IA β MO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 69, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Des Moines, Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Minneapolis | Mesquite | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, Mesquite -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Minneapolis | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 46Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 8Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 40.9" |
Annual average temperature gap of 20.2Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US, FERRIS, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 148,848 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $71,843 |
| Median age | 33 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.96 |
Households in Mesquite earn about 1.7% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mesquite MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Mesquite average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (20.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Minneapolis vs Mesquite?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,843 in Mesquite vs $80,269 in Minneapolis β a 10.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis to Mesquite?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 944 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Mesquite, TX from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 944 mi and the route typically takes 17h 30m via I 35 and US 69. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Mesquite compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Mesquite MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Mesquite more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mesquite is 1.7% lower than Minneapolis (103.09 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Mesquite compared to Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,121 in Mesquite vs $330,882 in Minneapolis β a 20.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Minneapolis.
City profiles: Minneapolis, MN Β· Mesquite, TX.