Everything You Need to Know When Moving to the Minneapolis Area
There's so much uniqueness to Minneapolis—like having a twin and a string of nicknames ("City of Flour & Sawdust", "City of Lakes", "Mill City", "The Mini Apple", and "First City of the West"). It's a city of stark diversities, truly modern but with a tinge of ancient Scandinavian roots and a Midwestern feel that adorns everything about it.
Temperatures are notorious for staying low and hitting sub-zero at times but it's like the cold climate taught the locals to be warm and welcoming.
There are a thousand reasons why you may be toying with the idea of moving to Minneapolis. We're here to tell you what to expect to get you off on a good start.
Minneapolis Has a Fraternal Twin
St. Paul is Minneapolis's twin, but each has a set of contrasting features. These twin cities are 10 miles apart, separated by the Mississippi River. St. Paul is slower and traditional—with the authorities being intentional on preserving its history. Minnesota feels younger owing to the vibrant entertainment scene—and holding on to a culture of keeping up with the present. So, if you're wanting to relocate to a city that keeps in step with modernity, Minneapolis is an ideal choice.
Bittersweet Weather
There's no sugarcoating it. It's chilly and snowy out here—for up to 6 months a year—so shop for some coats and cozy blankets before you move from a warmer climate. Plan to pay more for the heating bill when winter officially hits. You'll also want to make sure your vehicle is properly equipped with snow tires and chains, and should consider purchasing a battery warmer in order to keep the battery from freezing.
Spring comes with temperatures of 32° F, and could go up to 41° F in March. If the temperatures drop in spring, they rarely go below 24° F. Spring comes around April or May.
Minneapolitans know how to make the most of every season. Summers are beautifully hot and humid making an excellent opportunity to throng parks and lakes or gather on roofs or patios with family and friends.
Fall is marked by colorful leaves and birds migrate southward. Although winter is cold, residents still find things to do—from parades, to festivals, to snow tubing, and ice fishing. The movies Grumpy Old Men (filmed in St Paul) and Grumpier Old Men (filmed in Minneapolis) make a fine activity for staying indoors during winter.
Spring comes with lots of green shades as nature comes alive after bracing winter. People return to walkways in hundreds, and so do bikers and convertible owners.
Magnificent Skyways
If you plan to work or go shopping in downtown Minneapolis, you never have to set foot on the ground. You can use the Minneapolis skyways—the most extensive and continuous skyway on the globe. The skyway is an interconnected set of pedestrian footbridges that link different buildings on 80 blocks within the city spanning over 9.5 miles in Downtown Minneapolis.
This skyway also comes with over 26 coffee shops, over a dozen Chinese restaurants, and about a dozen gyms.
Hundreds of Parks
No matter where you move to in Minneapolis, chances are you'll be just 5 to 10 minutes away from a park—there are tons of them (197). And, there are 22 pristine lakes too, so you may end buying a boat or canoe. Of course, the locals have been relishing water activities since the city was discovered.
There are canoeing, ice skating, ice fishing, and paddle boarding activities to enjoy depending on the season. Locals love biking so much they even ride during peak winter. It's no wonder though with 200 miles of designated bike trails and walking areas. Holidazzle and Aquatennial parades are the highlight of winter activities.
Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro Area Population
The current metro area population of Minneapolis-St. Paul in 2021 is 2,946,000, a 0.68% increase from 2020.There are 439,012 people living in Minneapolis in 2021. The median age is 32, and about 50% of the residents are aged between 20 and 49. 64% of the population is unmarried. Eden Prairie and Minnetonka have a population of 66,153 and 54,426 respectively.
Cost of Living in Minneapolis
Housing Costs
The cost of living in Minneapolis is 5% higher than the national average. Rent in Minneapolis has shot up by 2.3% in 2021 despite a 6.9% drop compared to 2020. As of October 2021, the median rent is about $1,127 for a one-bedroom apartment, and about $1,473 for a two-bedroom apartment.
In Eden Prairie, the cost of living is 14.9% higher than the national average. This is up 1.4% from 2020. The highest jumps were observed in Transportation, Food, and Housing.
The median home cost in Minnetonka is $340,000. Home prices here have gone up in the last decade by 5.4%. Home prices in Minneapolis are up by 7.6% in 2021, compared to 2020. The median price for a home is approximately $325,000. Eden Prairie homes are more expensive than those in Minnetonka and Minneapolis. You'll spend about $464,000 to buy a home there. Eden Prairie home prices have been increasing each year over the last decade.
Food Costs
According to the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) if you're below 51 years of age and will be living by yourself, your monthly food costs will average around $345. It goes up to about $633 if you'll be living with someone. This data excludes eating out, something Minneapolitans love to do.
To help you figure out just how much you'll spend, a meal in a cheap restaurant will cost you about $12 in Eden Prairie, just 12 miles away. An average restaurant in Minneapolis will charge you about $65 for a three-course meal for two.
Healthcare Costs
Minneapolis is an award-winning city when it comes to healthcare. When you move here, you'll have access to excellent services from the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Abbott Northwestern, Regency, Children's Hospital, Park Nicollet Methodist, Hennepin Healthcare, and Hennepin County Medical Center.
For example, Mpls. St. Paul Magazine honored 93 University of Minnesota doctors as Rising Stars in 2019. Abbott Northwestern Hospital has been number one a couple of times on the best hospitals in Minneapolis and St. Paul list.
You need about $151 each month for healthcare premiums if you're below 51 years old. The health costs are likely to keep rising according to recent data. If you're older, be ready to spend about $181 per month.
There's relief though. The MinnesotaCare program allows people older than 21 to pay a $75 co-pay for ER visits and a $25 co-pay for prescription glasses. These costs may change depending on whether you have health insurance from your employer.
Transportation
You don't have to worry much about public transportation if you move to Minneapolis. The system is well built and organized consisting of a light rail system and buses. It will cost you between $2 and $3.25 per ride depending on the time of day. You're not tied to light rail and buses alone; Uber is popular here and so is Lyft. You can also get a Zipcar for the day.
If you're into riding a bicycle to work, living in Minneapolis comes with the Nice Ride bike-sharing system. This system offers e-bikes and scooters options to move around at only $2 per ride. That's not all. There are selected bike lanes all over the city which is also renowned for being walk and ride friendly. Parking downtown costs between $6 to $16 depending on the time of day and the parking duration.
Transportation is becoming increasingly congested, but the wide range of suburbs and the location of urban industrial areas gives locals plenty of ways to move about.
Fitness
Anyone who relocates to Minneapolis soon finds out that staying fit is almost like a rule. Forbes recognized this and recognized Minneapolis as the number one spot in the top 20 healthiest cities in the country in 2021. In 2016, Forbes said Minneapolitans breathe clean air, make exercise a priority and keep off scale-tipping weight. In 2021, Forbes credits this score to the early adoption of bikeways and parks and the opportunity to eat healthy offered by the farmer's market.
Adult membership in single gyms is about $65/month. Full-fledged gyms with pools and other features charge about $71/month for membership, plus a $50 enrollment fee. If you're not up for equipment, you can always have a run, jog in the parks or ride a bike in the expansive designated areas throughout the city. You can start with the 51 mile Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. Minneapolis ranks 3rd in the country for walkability and recreation activities in 2021.
The Job Market
According to recent reports, the unemployment rate in Minneapolis is 3.5% (as of August 2021) which is much lower than the national average of 5.2%. The job market has grown 1.8% in the last year-good news for those who plan to relocate here. The job market in Minneapolis is expected to grow by 36.7% in the next decade, which is higher than the expected US average of 33.5%.
The Sales Tax Rate stands at 8.0% compared to the country's average of 7.3%. The Income Tax Rate is 7.1% compared to the country's average of 4.6%. The average income is $32,232 annually, compared to the annual US average of $28,555. Median household income stands at $50,767 annually compared to the US average of $53,482 a year.
You have a wide range of booming industries to choose from if you're looking for a job- healthcare, medical equipment, tech, finance, and insurance. Fortune 500 companies such as the UnitedHealth Group, Target, Best Buy, and 3M are headquartered here.
Sports
Love sports? You'll feel right at home living in Minneapolis. This city is a hub for major baseball, football, and basketball teams. The city also created a professional soccer expansion team a few years ago. You'll love visiting the U.S. Bank Stadium, which not only is where the Minnesota Vikings professional football team plays, but the stadium also hosts around 60 days of community events each year.
Shopping
Whether you want to shop, have a bite, or get enthralled in family entertainment, the Mall of America has more than enough to feed your appetite. There's Nickelodeon Universe and the Aquarium and movie theatre to see too. With over 500 stores, you can get more than your entire wish list.
Food and Restaurants
There's more than the renowned Minneapolis casserole. At the Minnesota State Fair, you'll find all sorts of creativity in food. There's alligator sausage served on a stick and deep-fried S'mores also served on a stick.
Eat Street welcomes all types of taste buds-from spicy to traditional laid down tastes. You can taste food from more than 50 locations all over the world, just by sampling the dishes found here.
Minnesota Neighborhoods
When moving to someplace new, it's hard to know where the "safe" areas are. The neighborhood Scout says the safest places to live in this city are near Edina along the West 49th Street and Xerxes Avenue South, West 50th Street and Xerxes Avenue South, and West 50th Street and France Avenue South.
Even farther west, Minnetonka, the tiny upscale lakeshore Wayzata, and the thriving Maple Grove all offer the perfect collection of residential options, with plenty of employment opportunities nearby.
According to Niche, Eden Prairie offers residents an urban suburban mix feel, and there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Eden Prairie.
Ready to Move to Minneapolis?
At College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, we know how hectic moving can be. We've trained our staff how to carefully pack and transport your belongings to make sure your move is worry free. So, if you want a full-service move to or within Minneapolis including packing, unpacking, arranging, and everything in between, our professional, licensed, and insured team is ready to help you whenever you need.