Moving from St. Paul, MN to Cleveland, OH
The drive from St. Paul, MN to Cleveland, OH runs 745 mi β about 13h 56m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
745 mi Β· 13h 56m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β WI β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β WI β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 94, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Cleveland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 93.923 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 95.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 79.434 | 100.0 |
Cleveland is 10.4% cheaper than St. Paul overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, Cleveland -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 33.3" |
Climate warms by 5.8Β°F on the annual average β 46.5Β°F β 52.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 367,523 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $39,187 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.18 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 10.4% between St. Paul and Cleveland (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in St. Paul vs Cleveland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,187 in Cleveland vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 46.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Cleveland, OH from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 745 mi and the route typically takes 13h 56m via I 90 and I 94. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Cleveland more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cleveland is 10.4% lower than St. Paul (93.923 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Cleveland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 745 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· Cleveland, OH.