Moving from Tacoma, WA to St. Paul, MN
Moving from Tacoma, WA to St. Paul, MN is a 1681 mi cross-country relocation β about 28h 56m of driving through 5 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.
1681 mi Β· 28h 56m 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 Valley, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | St. Paul | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 104.822 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 93.493 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 103.065 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 111.838 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 111.133 to 104.822, putting St. Paul roughly 5.7% below Tacoma on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, St. Paul β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 9Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 29.2" |
St. Paul is 7.2Β°F cooler on the annual average (53.7Β°F vs 46.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 307,762 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $73,055 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.5 |
Median household income in St. Paul is 5.7% below Tacoma ($83,857 β $73,055, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Paul MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 233,400 | $49,210 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 158,540 | $40,720 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 154,580 | $81,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,950 | $31,400 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 144,720 | $46,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Minnesota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Minnesota'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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in St. Paul compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 1,911,030 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs St. Paul?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,055 in St. Paul vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 12.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is St. Paul more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Paul is 5.7% lower than Tacoma (104.822 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is St. Paul, MN from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 1681 mi and the route typically takes 28h 56m 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 Tacoma to St. Paul?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1681 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· St. Paul, MN.