Moving from Minneapolis, MN, to Seattle, WA

Adjusting to Seattle life

When moving halfway across the country from Minneapolis to Seattle, you can expect lifestyle changes.

Seattle’s city population is around 737,000, compared to 430,000 in Minneapolis. The metro populations follow the same pattern, with 4 million people in Seattle’s metro area compared to 3.7 million in greater Minneapolis.

Keep reading to learn more about life in Washington State’s most populous city.

Less snow and a bit more rain on the West Coast

Like Minneapolis, Seattle has four distinct seasons, with cold winters and warm summers. Winters are milder in Seattle, with an average low of 37 degrees, compared to 7 degrees in Minneapolis. Annual snowfall averages only 5 inches in Seattle, compared to over 50 inches in Minneapolis.

The summer average high temperature is around 83 degrees in Minneapolis, but Seattle is cooler, with an average July high of 76 degrees. Annual rainfall averages 38 inches in Seattle, compared to 32 inches in Minneapolis.

Seattle trivia you should know

Get to know your new home with these interesting facts:

• Although it’s known as a rainy city, Seattle gets less annual rainfall than several U.S. cities, including New York City and Orlando.
• On clear days, Seattle residents and visitors can view Mount Rainier, an active volcano in nearby Ashford, WA.
• Pike Place Market hosts one of the country's oldest year-round farmers' markets.
• The city is surrounded by water, situated between Puget Sound (connected to the Pacific Ocean) and Lake Washington.
• The nickname “The Emerald City” comes from all the evergreen trees in Seattle.

Making a life in Seattle

While Seattle's living costs are higher than in Minneapolis, the local economy and job market are strong. Plus, unlike Minnesota, Washington State does not impose an income tax.

Biotech, commercial fishing, healthcare, manufacturing, retail and technology are the top industries in Seattle. Major employers in the area include Amazon, Boeing, Microsoft, Weyerhaeuser and Zillow.

There are 15 public schools for grades K-12 and many private schools. Over 30 colleges, universities and trade schools serve the area.

Start your new life in Seattle easily with U-Pack

Through our nationwide service centers with locations near Minneapolis and Seattle, U-Pack® is ready to handle your long-distance move. 

We’re a DIY moving service, so you handle packing, loading and unloading, and then we transport your things. Get a free online quote today or call us at 844-362-5303844-594-3077. We’re here to help!