Minneapolis: A Snapshot
The headwaters of the Mississippi and the headquarters of numerous global businesses, Minneapolis is a hub of nature and commerce. The Land of 10,000 Lakes is the larger of the siblings in the Twin Cities, and it’s also the biggest city in the state. The population of Minneapolis has grown from 383,000 in 2010 to 425,000 in 2023, and this chilly city of the north remains one of the most popular and cosmopolitan cities in the Midwest, one with a rich history and a bright future.
In addition to being the home base of UnitedHealth, Target and U.S. Bancorp, Minneapolis has stand-out cultural attractions, like the Walker Art Center, the Cowles Center for Dance & Performing Arts and the Minnesota Children’s Museum. There are landmark shopping destinations like the Mall of America and new restaurants reinvigorating the American palate. The University of Minnesota keeps the city energized with Big Ten spirit, and, when you want to get outdoors, there isn’t an easier urban environment for adventure. Minneapolis was named one of the country’s top five cities for cyclists, and the numerous city parks, area lakes and riverfront trails in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area make it easy to hike, bike, paddle, ski, skate and swim. Whether it’s blazing hot or well below zero, Minneapolitans find a way to enjoy the outdoors.
If you’re in search of a friendly city with loads of cultural and commercial resources, Minneapolis may be the new home you’re looking for. Delve into our comprehensive moving guide to Minneapolis below, and learn about the city’s climate, job market, neighborhoods and attractions. New to the Upper Midwest? Get an insider’s view at the North Star State in our Moving Guide to Minnesota.
A Detailed Look into Life in Minneapolis
Winters Are Harsh but Summer and Falls Are Beautiful
Minneapolis has four true seasons, but winter in the Twin Cities can bring next-level chills. The average temperature in January is a mere 16.2 F, and it usually does not get above freezing from December-February. During those months, the snow can really pile up, but that amount has varied wildly over the last ten years thanks, in part, to global warming. From 2014-2017, the Twin Cities only saw less than feet of snow each year, but the blizzards of the 2022-23 season dumped more than 90 inches on the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Things begin to thaw out in April, but May is when spring really shifts into high gear, keeping the city cool and mild through June. Even in July and August, when you are almost promised some scorching days of high 90s F or even 100 F weather, the average temperature is only in the low 70s, and lows are in the low 60s F, making the city the envy of virtually every metropolitan area to the south.
Fall may be our favorite season in Minneapolis, if only because the combination of crisp, clear air makes the many area lakes dazzling, reflecting the bright, changing foliage. You can expect temperatures in the 50s starting in September (late August, if you’re lucky), and then the snow will begin to creep back by November — just in time for Thanksgiving.
It’s Not Cheap to Live in Minneapolis
With great weather and many businesses to work for, Minneapolis has become a hot ticket, and the cost of living in the Twin Cities is not low.
Compared to the U.S average, all common household expenses cost more in Minneapolis-St. Paul except for transportation. Perhaps most shocking is that the cost of healthcare — in the home of UnitedHealthcare — exceeds the annual average by more than a thousand dollars a year. The cost of personal insurance and pensions exceeds the national rate by $4,300, food costs $600 more and all other items also top the U.S. average by $4,300.
Child-care costs in the state of Minnesota are also on the high end of the spectrum. Households can expect to pay more than $14,000/year for center-based care and over $9,000/year for home-based care.
The cost of housing in this Upper Midwestern City is certainly above the national average, but it’s far above the regional rates, too. Minneapolis’ median home value of $328,700 exceeds St. Louis, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and even spendy Chicago, where the 2018-2022 average was only $304,500 — $20,000 above the national average. Rent is high in the city, but Chicago does top Minneapolis’ median of $1,267. Minneapolis is also more expensive to live in than other cities in Minnesota, especially considering that Bloomington and Rochester have higher annual income averages, as does the state.
The rate of home ownership in the Twin Cities is also low, while poverty rates are high. Statewide, only 9.6% of Minnesotans live below the poverty line, but nearly 17% of Twin Cities residents do. And, while only 48.1% of Minneapolitans own their residences, an astonishing 72% of North Star State residents do.
But educational and income rates are higher in Minneapolis than in its Midwestern neighbors. 54% of city residents have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher — exceeding rates in any of the aforementioned cities by at least 10% — and the median household income is $76,332, in line with the national average but $5,000 more than Chicago’s and nearly $20,000 more than its other Midwestern counterparts.
Needless to say, there’s a lot to consider when you are calculating your own potential cost of living in Minneapolis.
Job Market in Minneapolis Is Stable
Diverse businesses feed the robust, nonfarm civilian workforce in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington region, which now has nearly 2 million workers. In this insurance empire, it’s not surprising that education and health services comprises a substantial portion of the workforce, employing 367,000 residents in March 2024 and growing by 4.6% over the previous year.
Trade, transportation and utilities employs 342,000 workers, and professional and business services, which declined by 4%, still employs 288,000 tri-city residents. The number of workers employed by the government increased by 8.6%, bringing that sector’s workforce to a total of 267,000, substantially larger than either manufacturing or leisure and hospitality, which employ nearly 400,000 individuals between them.
A whopping 15 Twin Cities-based corporations made it onto the 2023 Forbes 500 list, including UnitedHealthcare, Target, 3M, General Mills, US Bancorp, Land O’Lakes and Polaris. These wide-ranging enterprises have helped keep Minneapolis’ job market thriving even as many cities in the U.S. are suffering declines. In March 2024, the unemployment rate in the greater Minneapolis region was just 3%, up from its six-month low of 1.9%, but nearly a point lower than the national average of 3.8%.
Helping to supply a ready workforce to these industries are the many colleges in the Twin Cities, including the University of Minneapolis, Augsburg University, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and Macalester.
It’s a Big City With Small-Town Vibes
Friendly, fun and packed with cultural treasures, Minneapolis’ Downtown encompasses several unique areas, from the North Loop & Warehouse District to edgy Loring Park to the heart of it all — Nicollet. You’ll find many of Minneapolis’ most stunning destinations downtown, from the renowned Walker Art Center and its sculpture garden to Orchestra Hall and U.S. Bank Stadium. Swoon-worthy restaurants like Bar De Grassa and Owamni by The Sioux Chef are the perfect way to end a day of museum-hopping and shopping in this lively area. Housing in these areas varies from lofts in cool, renovated warehouses to glamorous, glassy high-rises. You might find a modest one-bedroom unit for only $125,000 or an astonishing penthouse for a cool $6 million. Minneapolis’ downtown areas are diverse, LGBTQI+-friendly and always bustling with activity — this is no sleepy city core.
Minneapolis’ Uptown neighborhood is southwest of the city center. This lake-centric district, which includes the Hennepin neighborhood, is all about being outdoors. Hit the in-town hotspots like Magers & Quinn Booksellers and Isles Bun & Coffee before hitting the water — or the ice — at Lake of the Isles Park, where canoeing and fishing are popular in the warmer months and ice hockey and ice skating are the rage in winter. In the evening, grab some ramen from moto-I and then challenge your family to a night of bowling at Bryant Lanes. Inland homes in this trendy district generally start in the low $500s, but lake views cost at least double that. Single-family residences vary wildly in style, from contemporary townhomes to turn-of-the-last-century originals. There are also plenty of smaller, more affordable condominiums in the area.
Unlike Uptown, Northeast Minneapolis poses no geographic conundrum, and this homely, residential area has plenty to recommend it. Eclectic home styles from post-war duplexes to clapboard cottages, farmhouses and Tudor revivals. Prices are higher than the city average but stay mostly in the $300,000-600,000 range. In this neighborhood on the Big Muddy, the Riverfront District is a popular hangout spot, thanks to its great views of both the water and the city skyline, and restaurants like the Sample Room allow you to enjoy both with a glass of wine and some popular American fare. The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District, meanwhile, is filled with working artists’ studios and galleries in renovated factories like the Casket Arts Center, which even has a sculpture park.
As students at the University of Minnesota can attest, it won’t take you long to get to know Dinkytown. This four-square-block area in the University district is jammed with student housing, places for quick bites and late-night cravings and the Varsity Theatre, a live music venue. The university itself sits right along the banks of the Mississippi, and Gophers fans will spend many a fall day at Huntington Bank Stadium decked out in maroon and gold. One of the major arts destinations in the city is right on campus, too. The Weisman Art Museum dates back to the early 1900s, but the museum was expanded in 2011 with a grand, new section designed by Frank Gehry.
Note: If you’re thinking of moving to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, it’s important to thoroughly research neighborhoods you might be interested in living. Before you decide where you are going to live, make sure you understand the area’s cost of living, commute time, tax rates, safety statistics and schooling information.
Minneapolis Has a Lot of Attractions
With great museums, shopping, sports and dining and some of the country’s coolest outdoor activities (including literally cold ones), Minneapolis is a city built for family fun. If you’re new to the city and the North Star State, some of the most popular local diversions may sound daunting — ice fishing isn’t for everyone — but others may be just the thing you’ve always been dying to do. Pay a visit to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in nearby Walnut Grove, or grab a legendary burger from Wagner’s Drive-In. With Minneapolis’ many lakes, waterfront trails and places to paddle, snowboard, cross-country ski, golf, swim, hike and bike, it’s no wonder that this active city is a part of one the healthiest, happiest and least stressed states. Minnesota leans into its reputation as a wellness hub, and those looking to move to a city with easy access to the great outdoors and fun ways to maintain a fit lifestyle will likely find Minneapolis a great place to call home.
Family Fun
Shopping at the Mall of America is a square on every retail-lover’s bingo card, and while you are relaxing in the Aveda Experience Center, your kids can get lost in the amazing Mirror Maze or hit the rides at the Nickelodeon Universe — an all-indoor adventure where it is always 72°F and sunny.
When it’s 15 F and snowing, Minneapolitans have the Great Northern Festival to look forward to. This mid-winter annual combines site-specific art, performances and cultural conversations with outdoor fun, food and drink. The 2024 event will center the climate in its keynote address and panel discussions, which you can muse on over craft cocktails at the Great Northern Ice Bar or while helping to create a frozen footgolf course in the snow.
Other great fun awaits at the Minnesota Children’s Museum, the Science Museum of Minnesota and Leonardo’s Basement, which leads kids in incredible art, engineering and design workshops. If your crew is dying to get their hands on some tools and build things, this is the spot for them.
Art lovers can rejoice that Minneapolis has several great venues, among them the renowned Walker Art Center. This contemporary art establishment has been pushing boundaries for over 80 years, and you’ll see iconic works by Kara Walker, Yoko Ono and Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, including the Spoonbridge and Cherry — one of the most beloved pieces in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
Outdoor Faves
Minneapolis has more than 180 parks, and one of our favorites is Elm Creek Park Reserve. Located in the northwestern suburbs, Elm Creek is one of the best places to get outdoors in any season. A favorite for hikers, bikers and birders — you can see bald eagles, trumpeter swans and sandhill cranes, here — Elm Creek’s swim pond is popular on hot summer days while their ski trails and snow tubing hill will keep your wintertime blues away.
Southwest of the city, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park connects several bodies of water and greenspaces southwest of the city. When the Lyndale Park Rose Garden comes into full bloom in late spring, you can easily ride your bike from there to Cedar Lake East Beach. In the wintertime, the Lake of the Isles Park has rinks for hockey and ice skating, and you can even test out your ice fishing skills here, too.
With gardens, splash pads, the historic Longfellow House and the cascading Minnehaha Falls, Minnehaha Regional Park is a prime spot for family picnics and prom and wedding portraits. Located southeast of the city along the Big Muddy, you can hike down along the Winchell Trail, which follows the water as part of the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area in Minnesota. The Stone Arch Bridge offers picturesque views of the surrounding landscape, while the Grey Cloud Dunes treat hikers to a wildflower spectacular in the spring and summer.
Sports Galore
With seven pro teams and 22 teams of Gophers at the University of Minnesota, athletics fans have a lot to look forward to in the Twin Cities.
There are Twins games at Target Field, Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx games at Target Center and Minnesota United FC games, who play at the brand-new MLS Allianz Field in St. Paul.
Despite having two NFL Hall-of-Famers on their historic roster (including Alan Page) the Minnesota Vikings, who play at U.S. Bank Stadium, have yet to clinch a Super Bowl victory, despite having been a four-time contender for the prize in the ‘70s.
Minneapolis Has Quite a Few Commuting Options
Commuting in Minneapolis isn’t quite as bad as it is in the rest of the U.S., but that doesn’t mean you won’t want to explore all your options for that daily 23-minute trek. The city is invested in helping people commute smarter and more sustainably, according to their Minnesota 2040 plan, and more people are ditching their cars for bikes, walking and Metro Transit.
The Twin Cities are served by two lines of light rail service, a fleet of bus rapid transit, commuter rail lines and on-demand services. The standard rates during rush hour are $2.50 for local bus/Metro services and $3.25 for the express bus. Rates drop during non-peak hours, and you can move around downtown anytime for just 50¢.
Minnesota’s snow is legendary but avoiding it is built into the very fabric of downtown. The Minneapolis Skyway boasts the longest connected system of its kind on the planet, and the nearly 10 miles of enclosed bridges and pathways mean you can get from the bus stop to your office, your hair appointment and your favorite coffee shop without having to put on all your outerwear. Most buildings close by 6 p.m., though, but you can use that as an excuse to leave the office at a reasonable hour.
The region is well served by a robust network of highways as well as the Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport, where 15 carriers ferry passengers direct to destinations all over the world, from the Virgin Islands to Iceland and Japan.
Advice and Tips for Relocating to Minneapolis
When you partner with America’s #1 Mover®, you know that your relocation to Minneapolis will be handled professionally. United Van Lines has nearly a century of experience, and we’ve moved over a million families like yours across the U.S. We can help you understand how to select a professional moving company and break down your moving quote. We’ll help you plan for all aspects of your move.
Let our team of professional long-distance movers guide your move to Minneapolis with customizable moving packages and full-service moving solutions tailored to your needs. Need help packing and unpacking? Storing your belongings? Shipping your car? Even if you need assistance removing debris from your current residence, United Van Lines can handle it.
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