Moving from St. Paul, MN to Spokane Valley, WA
The drive from St. Paul, MN to Spokane Valley, WA runs 1380 mi β about 23h 18m 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.
1380 mi Β· 23h 18m by car Β· MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Fargo, Billings, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Spokane Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 100.346 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 91.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 105.028 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 97.059 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for St. Paul (104.822) and Spokane Valley (100.346) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, Spokane Valley +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 17.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 105,460 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $70,722 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.47 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Spokane Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,380 | $46,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,780 | $38,530 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,620 | $44,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,480 | $35,500 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,820 | $95,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Spokane Valley, WA from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 1380 mi and the route typically takes 23h 18m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Spokane Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1380 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Spokane Valley more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Spokane Valley is 4.3% lower than St. Paul (100.346 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 Spokane Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,722 in Spokane Valley vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 3.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Spokane Valley compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 255,160 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· Spokane Valley, WA.