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Moving from Alabama to Minnesota

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Affordable Southern living, college-football devout, slower pace. vs. Twin Cities arts, brutal winters, top public schools.

AL state flag
Living now

Alabama

Capital: Montgomery

Median household income $59,674 · winter low 35°F · 213 sunny days

Affordable Southern living, college-football devout, slower pace.

MN state flag
Moving to

Minnesota

Capital: Saint Paul

Median household income $84,313 · winter low 4°F · 195 sunny days

Twin Cities arts, brutal winters, top public schools.

Minnesota has an overall price level 98.6 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Alabama
88.8
Minnesota
98.6
Minnesota has 11% higher overall price level
Housing index
Alabama
61.8
Minnesota
91.3
Minnesota has 48% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Alabama
97.2
Minnesota
99.7
Minnesota has 2.5% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Alabama
98.3
Minnesota
99.8
Minnesota has 1.5% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Alabama
17.2 ¢/kWh
Minnesota
15.1 ¢/kWh
Minnesota has 12% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Alabama
97.8
Minnesota
99.7
Minnesota has 2.0% higher transportation
Median home value
Alabama
$233,300
Minnesota
$344,600
Minnesota is 48% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Alabama
$889/mo
Minnesota
$1,135/mo
Minnesota is 28% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 82°F · Winter low 4°F · 195 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Alabama
91°F
Minnesota
82°F
Minnesota is 9.9% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Alabama
35°F
Minnesota
4°F
Minnesota is 89% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Alabama
63°F
Minnesota
42°F
Minnesota is 33% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Alabama
213
Minnesota
195
Minnesota has 8.5% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Alabama
56 in
Minnesota
29 in
Minnesota is 47% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Alabama
42
Minnesota
39
Minnesota has 7.1% lower AQI
Snow / year
Alabama
1 in
Minnesota
46 in
Minnesota is 4500% more annual snowfall

Get the full AlabamaMinnesota report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Minnesota than Alabama?

Minnesota's overall price level is roughly 97.3 (US avg = 100), vs about 87.9 for Alabama — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Alabama tops out at 5% income tax. Minnesota tops out at 9.85%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Minnesota?

Most Minnesota residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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