Best California to Minnesota Movers and Practical Moving Guide

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CA to MN Moving Specialists

Moving from the sun-kissed beaches of California to the vibrant, snow-dusted landscapes of Minnesota marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in your life. You’re trading the laid-back vibes and endless summers of the Golden State for the friendly faces, abundant green spaces, and the "Land of 10,000 Lakes." Recognizing the journey ahead, it's crucial for you to hire trusted and reliable professional movers. Our team at Great Guys Moving uses an unbiased ranking algorithm to ensure you partner with the best, making your cross-country adventure as smooth as possible.

California iconArrow iconMinnesota icon

Best California to Minnesota Moving Companies

Company NameRating QuestionBBB RatingLicenseContact
OCD Moving Services LLC9.66A+Authorized For HHGContact
Pure Moving9.64A+Authorized For HHGContact
Murdock's Moving & Hauling Inc.9.63NRAuthorized For HHGContact
Best California Movers9.52A+Authorized For HHGContact
Metro Movers9.49NRAuthorized For PropertyContact
General Expert Moving Service LLC9.27NRAuthorized For HHGContact
Phone (800) 787-5428
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Moving in the opposite direction? Here is our moving from Minnesota to California guide.

6 Best CA to MN Moving Companies

These are the top recommended movers based on our unbiased & regularly updated ranking algorithm (NOT paid promotions)

OCD Moving Services LLC Logo
Exceptional9.66/10
based on 3,273+ data points

About OCD Moving Services LLC

For over five years, OCD Moving Services LLC has been providing Oakland and the Bay Area with residential and commercial relocation services...Read More >>

Services

  • Local Moving
  • Long Distance Moving
  • Commercial Moving

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/17/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

2597230 / 911812

Authorized For HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans6
Registered Drivers6
Total Annual Miles Moved153,000 (2022)
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1
Pure Moving Logo
Exceptional9.64/10
based on 8,688+ data points

About Pure Moving

Pure Moving has six locations across California, including an office in Los Angeles. This locally operated business moves over 10,000 client...Read More >>

Services

  • Residential moving
  • Commercial moving
  • Long-distance moving

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/17/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

3207734 / 1115049

Authorized For HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans1
Registered Drivers1
Total Annual Miles Moved100,000 (2022)
View Full Review
2
Murdock's Moving & Hauling Inc. Logo
Exceptional9.63/10
based on 1,645+ data points

About Murdock's Moving & Hauling Inc.

Murdock's Moving & Hauling Inc. makes it a point to go above and beyond in every moving job. This includes giving back to the community....Read More >>

Services

  • Local & Long Distance Moving
  • Residential Moving
  • Commercial Moving

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/17/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

3421940 / 1416634

Authorized For HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans6
Registered Drivers9
Total Annual Miles Moved100,000 (2024)
View Full Review
3
Best California Movers Logo
Exceptional9.52/10
based on 3,003+ data points

About Best California Movers

Best California Movers is a family-owned moving company based in Southern California, with over six years of experience in the industry. Th...Read More >>

Services

  • Cheap moving services
  • Local moving services
  • Long-distance moving services

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/18/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

3489907 / 1173381

Authorized For HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans12
Registered Drivers12
Total Annual Miles Moved157,000 (2023)
View Full Review
4
Metro Movers Logo
Exceptional9.49/10
based on 1,008+ data points

About Metro Movers

Metro Movers, a licensed and insured transport and logistics company in Minnesota, was founded by two childhood friends with a shared vision...Read More >>

Services

  • Residential Moving
  • Business Moving
  • Long Distance Residential Moving

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/18/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

3742268 / 1503884

Authorized For Property

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans3
Registered Drivers3
Total Annual Miles Moved16,000 (2023)
View Full Review
5
General Expert Moving Service LLC Logo
Exceptional9.27/10
based on 528+ data points

About General Expert Moving Service LLC

General Expert Moving Service LLC is a family-owned moving company based in Minnesota. It started with two brothers and a pickup truck back ...Read More >>

Services

  • Cheap moving
  • Local moving
  • Long-distance moving

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/17/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

2846187 / 1285395

Authorized For HHG

Carrier/Shipper

Registered Trucks/Vans5
Registered Drivers24
Total Annual Miles Moved30,000 (2024)
View Full Review
6
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Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!

Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:

  • No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
  • Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.

Pros and Cons of Moving from California to Minnesota

Moving from one state to another offers a unique blend of challenges and opportunities. This comparison aims to provide an honest reflection of the good and the bad attributes of relocating from California to Minnesota . Understanding both sides will help you make a more informed decision about this significant change.

CONs
PROs
California iconCalifornia
  • High cost of living
  • Traffic congestion
  • Wildfire risk
  • Earthquake risk
Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • More affordable
  • Less traffic
  • Greener landscapes
  • Safer environment
Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • Colder winters
  • Lack of ocean
  • Quieter nightlife
  • Less variety
California iconCalifornia
  • Mild winters
  • Beaches
  • Entertainment hubs
  • Diverse cuisine

When moving from California's bustling cities to the serene landscapes of Minnesota, you'll find a dramatic shift in lifestyle. Minnesota's ample green parks, such as the Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis, offer a peaceful retreat from city life. For those who enjoy dining out, you'll find an array of cozy, family-owned restaurants like The Bachelor Farmer in downtown Minneapolis, which serves a modern Nordic-inspired cuisine. While California is known for its iconic beaches and entertainment, Minnesota offers its own charm with beautiful lakes, less congested living, and a strong sense of community, particularly in popular areas like the Twin Cities and Duluth. Despite its colder winters, Minnesota hosts vibrant outdoor activities like the Holidazzle festival in Minneapolis, ensuring there's always something to explore in your new home.

California vs. Minnesota Food Guide

Food plays a pivotal role in understanding the local culture and lifestyle of a place. This section aims to offer a clear picture by showcasing a comparison of the local cuisine between California & Minnesota. By examining the food scenes, you'll be better equipped to embrace your new home's culinary delights.

CaliforniaMinnesota
Most iconic local food itemFish TacosHotdish
Most popular meat dishTri-tip BBQWalleye
Most popular street food itemTacosJuicy Lucy
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastWild Rice Soup
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The French Laundry
  • Chez Panisse
  • N/naka
  • The Jucy Lucy
  • Spoon and Stable
  • Matt's Bar
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

California's culinary scene exudes a vibrant and health-conscious vibe, reflected by its love for dishes like fish tacos and the ubiquitous avocado toast. Iconic restaurants such as The French Laundry in Yountville and Chez Panisse in Berkeley highlight the state's commitment to fresh, farm-to-table dining. In contrast, Minnesota presents a hearty comfort food scene with its famous hotdish and the legendary Juicy Lucy burger, best found in local joints like Matt's Bar in Minneapolis. The distinction in foodie cultures between these states also extends to street food and vegan options, promising a diverse gastronomic adventure for anyone moving from the sunny coasts of California to the lakeside eateries of Minnesota.

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California vs. Minnesota Real Estate & Living Facts

Real estate remains a critical element when relocating. Understanding how California and Minnesota compare in terms of housing, from costs to lifestyle, can significantly influence your decision-making process. This comparison aims to highlight key differences and similarities to help guide your move.

ComparisonCaliforniaMinnesota
Typical Architecture StyleSpanish Colonial, ModernPrairie Style, Cape Cod
Walkability 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingOutdoor living spaces, PoolsLakeside views, Large backyards

The transition from California to Minnesota encompasses significant changes, particularly in housing affordability and lifestyle preferences. The stark contrast in median home prices and monthly rent highlights Minnesota's more accessible real estate market. Additionally, the prevalent architecture styles reflect the cultural and environmental differences, with Minnesota favoring homes that embrace its picturesque landscapes and colder climate. Interestingly, Minnesota boasts higher walkability and bikeability scores, indicative of its robust community planning and emphasis on outdoor recreation—factors that might appeal to those seeking a balanced urban-nature lifestyle. With unique features like lakeside views in Minnesota dominating real estate listings, the move invites an exciting exploration of new terrains and lifestyles.

California vs. Minnesota Weather Considerations

Moving from one place to another requires adapting to new climates. Understanding how weather differs between California and Minnesota is crucial. This comparison aims to highlight the most significant climatic variations to help you prepare for your move.

Summer icon
85°F / 60°F

California

83°F / 63°F

Minnesota

Average Summer High/Low (°F)

Winter icon
60°F / 45°F

California

23°F / 7°F

Minnesota

Average Winter High/Low (°F)

Rainfall icon
22

California

30

Minnesota

Annual Rainfall (Inches)

Snowfall icon
0 (except in mountains)

California

54

Minnesota

Annual Snowfall (Inches)

ComparisonCaliforniaMinnesota
Air QualityVariable, urban areas can be poorGenerally good
Natural DisastersEarthquakes, WildfiresBlizzards, Tornadoes
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦

When moving from California to Minnesota, prepare for more drastic seasonal changes. Minnesota's winters are significantly colder, with average lows in the single digits, and it experiences much more snowfall—an average of 54 inches annually compared to California's minimal to none, save for mountain areas. Despite having fewer days of sunshine, Minnesota generally boasts better air quality, except in industrial or densely populated areas where pollution can still be a concern. Both states share common allergens, but the humidity and type of vegetation can affect how severely you experience these allergies.

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Money, Economy, and Job Market Considerations for Moving from California to Minnesota

When planning a move from California to Minnesota, it’s crucial to compare the financial aspects affecting your daily life. Understanding how the cost of living, taxes, and average income in California stack up against those in Minnesota will better prepare you for the transition and help manage your expectations.

ComparisonCaliforniaMinnesota
Avg. Household Income$91,551$82,338
Cost of Living Index136.498.75
State Income Tax1% - 13.3%5.35% - 9.85%
Avg. Property Tax0.73%1.08%
Avg. Sales Tax8.56%7.43%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Agriculture, EntertainmentManufacturing, Agriculture, Medical Devices
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowerLower
HomelessnessHighLower

Moving from California to Minnesota brings significant financial changes, especially regarding cost of living and taxes. Despite California's higher average household income, its substantially higher cost of living index and wide range of state income tax rates can strain budgets. Minnesota offers a more moderate cost of living and a simpler state income tax structure, allowing for potentially greater financial stability. Furthermore, despite the perceived affluence in California, Minnesota's burgeoning industries in manufacturing and medical devices highlight its economic resilience and opportunities for professionals.

California vs. Minnesota Political & Religious Comparison

This guide provides a quick glance at the comparison of the politics between California & Minnesota to help you understand the political and religious makeup of residents in these states. Whether you're concerned about voting trends or seeking a community that shares your religious views, this comparison offers a snapshot to aid your move.

CaliforniaMinnesota
Political Make-upLiberal, Democratic-majorityMixed, with Democratic lean in urban areas
Local PoliticsProgressive policies in urban areasProgressive in cities, conservative in rural areas
ReligionDiverse, with no single dominant faithChristianity predominant, with Lutheran heritage influential

The political landscape of California and Minnesota reflects the diverse nature of the United States. While California is known for its liberal stance, particularly in its urban centers like Los Angeles and San Francisco, Minnesota presents a more complex picture. In Minnesota, you'll find a state that swings politically, with a Democratic lean in cities such as Minneapolis and St. Paul but conservative values holding sway in many rural areas. This blend creates a mix of policies and sentiments across the state. In terms of religion, California's residents practice a wide array of faiths, underscoring the state's vast cultural diversity. Meanwhile, Minnesota has a strong Lutheran heritage, although its cities are increasingly diverse in religious practice. Understanding these nuances will help you transition smoothly into your new community.

Education Guide When Moving from California to Minnesota

Moving from one state to another can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to education for your children or for future collegiate pursuits. To help in this transition, we've compiled a comparative guide highlighting the key educational differences. The purpose of this chart is to better understand the comparisons between school options from California to Minnesota.

CaliforniaMinnesota

Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)

UCLA
UC Berkeley
Stanford
University of Minnesota
Carleton College
Macalester College

Top 3 Elementary Schools

Point Vicente Elementary
Rancho Santa Fe
Montecito Union
Scenic Heights Elementary
Deephaven Elementary
Greenwood Elementary

Top 3 Middle Schools

Miller Creek Middle
Carmel Valley Middle
Mesa Verde Middle
Wayzata East Middle
Minnetonka Middle East
Wayzata Central Middle

Top 3 High Schools

Henry M. Gunn High
Palo Alto High
Troy High
Wayzata High
Edina High
Minnetonka High

Top 3 private high schools

The Thacher School
Harvard-Westlake
Phillips Academy
Breck School
The Blake School
St. Paul Academy

Top 3 private K-12 schools

The Harker School
Stanford Online High
Brentwood School
Mounds Park Academy
Breck School
The Blake School

Top 3 School Districts

Los Gatos-Saratoga
Palo Alto Unified
San Ramon Valley Unified
Minnetonka Public Schools
Wayzata Public Schools
Edina Public Schools

Exploring the top educational institutions in both California and Minnesota provides fascinating insights. For instance, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and UC Berkeley are renowned for their diverse programs and research opportunities, attracting students nationally. Similarly, the University of Minnesota stands out in the Midwest for its research, especially in medical and technological fields. When it comes to K-12 education, the focus shifts slightly. Schools in California, like The Harker School in San Jose, known for its strong STEM program, offer a contrast to Minnesota's Mounds Park Academy in Saint Paul, with its emphasis on liberal arts and individualized attention. Minnesota’s public schools, such as those in the Wayzata and Edina districts, are lauded for their high standards and achievement levels, mirroring the excellent reputations of select districts in California.

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