Minnesota's population is nearly six million—and it’s getting bigger each year. That includes roughly 700,000 people who moved within the state last year. We recommend International Van Lines if you’re moving to Minnesota from another state. We also have picks for local moving services, cheap movers, and moving container companies from the Twin Cities area to Rochester and Bloomington.
Are you looking for a mover in Saint Paul or Minneapolis, MN?
We researched more than 20 moving services to find the best Minneapolis moving company and St. Paul movers.
Compare Minnesota moving companies
Moving company | Move type | Move.org rating | Cost | Learn more |
| Full-service (long distance) | 
| $$$$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Full-service (local) | 
| $$$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Moving container | 
| $$$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Truck rental | 
| $$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Hourly labor | 
| $$ | Check Prices Check Prices |
Best Movers in Minnesota
International Van Lines—Best long-distance moving company
International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving company. It can move you anywhere in the country and is upfront about its prices (most moving companies aren’t). IVL also offers substantial discounts if you’re a senior or need to ship a car. Plus, the moving company provides 30 days of free storage to provide a buffer when moving into your new home. On the downside, it has below-average customer reviews and annoying website pop-up ads.
Pros
Transparent pricing
Local and long-distance moving
15% car shipping discount
15% senior discount
30 days of free storage 
Cons
Below-average customer reviews
Annoying pop-up ads First National Van Lines—Best local moving company
First National Van Lines is our pick for the best local moving company. While most moving brokers focus on helping you move between states, FNVL’s expertise enables you to move within the same state. It has a network of movers in nearly all US cities and receives above-average customer reviews. First National Van Lines can also give you a quote virtually or in person and provides attractive storage options. For example, it offers all customers a free month of storage and a remote video stream of their storage space. On the downside, FNVL’s website isn’t always up-to-date.
Pros
Services most U.S. cities
Excellent customer reviews
In-home and virtual quotes
30 days of free storage
Remote video storage Cons
Out-of-date website PODS—Best moving container company
PODS is one of your best moving options. Think of the company’s containers as storage units that you can hang onto until you've set a date with a driver to pick up and hook onto the back of a specialized truck. A PODS truck drops off a moving container at your home. Once you load it, PODS picks the container up and transports it to your new home, where you unload it. The container company has top-notch customer reviews, excellent storage options, and nationwide availability. And despite confusing invoices, PODS has some of the lowest rates for moving containers in the United States. In some cases, it's even more convenient and cheaper than rental trucks.
Pros
Low prices
Multiple container sizes
Lots of storage options
Positive customer reviews
46-state availability Cons
Confusing prices Penske—Best moving truck company
Penske Truck Rental is our pick for the best moving truck company. Renting a truck is the cheapest way to move, and Penske brings a lot to the table. It offers local and long-distance moving services everywhere in the country (except Alaska), provides reliable reservations, and has moving discounts. In addition, Penske has the highest customer satisfaction rating of any rental truck company. So if you’re able to pack, load, and drive, there’s no better option than Penske Truck Rental.
Pros
Lowest moving prices
Local and long-distance rentals
Excellent customer reviews
Moving discounts
Reliable reservations Cons
No service in Alaska HireAHelper—Best hourly moving labor company
HireAHelper is an excellent solution if you need help with only a few parts of the moving process. The company’s professional contractors can help you with everything from packing and loading to furniture assembly and junk removal. It’s also easy to find, with nearly 5,000 locations in all 50 states. Plus, HireAHelper movers get excellent customer reviews. Just be aware that you must hire your workers for at least two hours. It’s not cheap compared to other hourly moving labor companies, but customer reviews suggest the premium price is worth it.
Pros
Professional contractors
Packing and loading services
4,750+ locations
50-state availability
Positive customer reviews Cons
High prices
Two-hour minimum Move.org's top pick
International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving service. It has a vast network of cross-country movers, provides one month of free storage, and offers military and senior discounts. Want to move with Move.org's #1 pick?
What type of moving company is right for you?
Professional movers
They handle it all.
Professional movers load your stuff, ship it to your new home, and unload it all for you. It’s the easiest—but most expensive—option. Learn more.
Containers
You load, they ship.
You load up all your belongings, but the movers transport your container to your new home. It’s the middle road for effort and cost. Learn more.
Moving truck rentals
You do all the work.
Worried about costs? Rent a truck, load it yourself, drive it to your new home, and unload all your things. You do it all—and save a lot. Learn more.
What to know about moving in Minnesota
Population
Minnesota has a population of around 5.7 million.1 Its annual growth rate is approximately 0.7%, and the median age is 38. The state’s largest ethnic groups are White, African American, and Asian,2 and nearly 10% of residents were born in another country. Around 15% of the population lives in a different home than one year ago,1 and roughly 710,000 people move within Minnesota each year.3
Employment
Minnesota's median household annual income is roughly $73,380, and more than two-thirds of the population participates in the labor force.1 The North Star State added nearly 68,000 payroll jobs last year,4 and its largest industries are education, construction, and food services. Similarly, Minnesota’s highest-paying non-medical gigs are in securities, pipeline transportation, and software publishing. The state’s wealthiest counties are Carver County, Scott County, and Washington County, while the areas with the lowest median income include Mahnomen County, Wadena County, and Aitkin County.2
Cost of living
Minnesota’s cost of living lines up closely with the national average. For example, in a ranking of the country’s most affordable states, Minnesota ranked 26th out of 50—or right in the middle. Its most attractive pricing is for housing.5 The state’s homeownership rate is well above the national average,2 with a median property value of approximately $236,000.1 Minnesota utility bills total around $380 monthly and include about $50 per month for broadband internet and $50 for TV streaming.
Politics
Minnesota leans heavily to the left. For example, roughly 46% of the state favors the Democratic Party, while less than 40% prefer the GOP.6 The gap is even wider in federal elections. Consider the 2020 presidential election in which Joe Biden led Donald Trump in the popular vote by over 10%. Similarly, six of the state’s ten representatives in Congress are Democrats. Minnesota’s bluest regions include Ramsey County, Hennepin County, and Cook County, while the reddest areas are Morrison County, Todd County, and Marshall County.2
Best Minnesota movers FAQ
What is the best moving company in Minnesota?
International Van Lines is the best mover in Minnesota. The moving service is known for quality moving options, including packing, loading, and transport.
Who are the best Milwaukee-to-Minneapolis movers?
PODS and The Move Crew are the best Milwaukee-to-Minneapolis movers. While PODS offers the nation’s best moving container services, The Move Crew specializes in local moves. Both companies have excellent customer service ratings.
What are the average moving costs within Minnesota?
The average moving costs within Minnesota range from just over $100 to slightly under $10,000. Prices vary depending on your move type, home size, and moving services. For example, things like packing services and auto transport cost extra.
Does distance matter when moving in Minnesota?
Distance matters a lot when moving in Minnesota. For example, your total mileage is a crucial cost factor whether you use a professional mover or one of the best moving container companies.
What is the cheapest and fastest way to move?
The cheapest way to move is typically to rent a moving truck. It’s also your fastest option. Moving containers, however, can often save you more money on a long-distance move but usually take longer than rental trucks.
Methodology
We conducted intensive research to identify the best moving companies for long-distance moves and local moves, in addition to container moves, truck rentals, and hourly moving labor. During our searches, we:
- Compare pricing transparency. We gather quotes, check for binding estimates, and read customer reviews about pricing to ensure each moving company’s prices are trustworthy.
- Review accreditation. We check every company’s records in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database to confirm companies are properly authorized to transport household goods.
- Go mystery shopping. We review every company’s website, pose as customers in calls to companies, and read customer reviews to analyze every company’s moving services, transit protection, and customer service. We also interview actual customers to learn how their moves went from start to finish.
- Perform site visits. We invite moving companies to our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, to share data and expertise. We verify the information they provide by comparing it to data gathered through independent research and interviews with other movers.
- Set up regular reviews. We routinely repeat this process to update our recommendations to reflect current data and trends. We also revise each review annually and make updates throughout the year.
Recommended resources
People also asked . . .
Sources
- United States Census Bureau. “Quick Facts: Minnesota,” Accessed October 15, 2022.
- Deloitte. “Data USA: Minnesota,” Accessed October 15, 2022.
- United States Census Bureau, December 15, 2020. “Census Bureau Releases 2020 CPS ASEC Geographic Mobility Data,” Accessed October 15, 2022.
- United States Congress Joint Economic Committee, September 16, 2022. “Minnesota Employment Report,” Accessed October 15, 2022.
- Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. “Cost of Living Data Series,” Accessed October 15, 2022.
- Pew Research Center. “Religious Landscape Study: Party Affiliation among Adults in Minnesota,” Accessed October 15, 2022.
