Moving from St. Paul, MN to Brownsville, TX
Cross-country relocations like St. Paul, MN β Brownsville, TX cover 1502 mi and about 26h 43m of driving through 6 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.
1502 mi Β· 26h 43m by car Β· MN β IA β MO β KS β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β IA β MO β KS β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 470, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Des Moines, Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 104.822 to 85.975, putting Brownsville roughly 18.0% below St. Paul on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | β |
Major climate step-up: 27.9Β°F warmer annual average in Brownsville vs St. Paul.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 3.21 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 18.0% between St. Paul and Brownsville (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
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 Brownsville average 92Β°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 (27.9Β°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
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1502 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 Brownsville compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Brownsville, TX from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 1502 mi and the route typically takes 26h 43m via I 35 and I 470. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Brownsville more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 18.0% lower than St. Paul (85.975 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in St. Paul vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 33.4% lower 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 St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN Β· Brownsville, TX.