Moving from St. Paul, MN to St. Louis, MO
It is 530 mi between St. Paul and St. Louis β roughly 10h 47m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
530 mi Β· 10h 47m by car Β· MN β IA β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β IA β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | IA 27, I 380, US 63 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Rochester, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.3% cheaper overall in St. Louis than St. Paul on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow housing data not available for this pair.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 43.9" |
Annual temperature rises 11.5Β°F moving to St. Louis per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.03 |
St. Louis households earn about 9.3% less than St. Paul at the median β $73,055 β $55,279 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 530 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is St. Louis, MO from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 530 mi and the route typically takes 10h 47m via IA 27 and I 380. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in St. Paul vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 24.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is St. Louis more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 9.3% lower than St. Paul (95.088 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 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· St. Louis, MO.