Moving from Minneapolis, MN to West Palm Beach, FL
Moving from Minneapolis, MN to West Palm Beach, FL is a 1698 mi cross-country relocation β about 31h 16m 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.
1698 mi Β· 31h 16m by car Β· MN β WI β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, GA 540 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Madison, Rockford, Clarksville, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Minneapolis | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 8.9% pricier overall in West Palm Beach than Minneapolis on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: West Palm Beach typical home at $399,471 is 8.9% above Minneapolis at $330,882 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Minneapolis | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 46Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 8Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 61.7" |
NOAA normals show West Palm Beach running 30.0Β°F above Minneapolis on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 33 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.37 |
Median household income in West Palm Beach is 8.9% below Minneapolis ($80,269 β $69,261, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Palm Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in West Palm Beach average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: West Palm Beach averages 61.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (30.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $330,882 in Minneapolis β a 20.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 1698 mi and the route typically takes 31h 16m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis to West Palm Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1698 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 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 West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $80,269 in Minneapolis β a 13.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 8.9% higher than Minneapolis (114.155 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· West Palm Beach, FL.