Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Minneapolis, MN

Moving halfway across the country to the largest city in Minnesota

Moving from San Francisco to Minneapolis is a journey of almost 2,000 miles. Changing your home from the West Coast to the banks of the Mississippi River will mean adjusting to a different climate and lifestyle.

Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota, with around 430,000 people living within its city limits. This is roughly half the size of San Francisco, which has 874,000 residents. The Minneapolis metro population is around 3.7 million, compared to 9.55 million in San Francisco’s metro.

Keep reading to learn what else to expect in the “City of Lakes.”

Prepare for snowy winters in Minneapolis

Your first Minneapolis winter will drastically change from what you’re used to in California. Snow is rare in San Francisco, but Minneapolis receives an average of 52 inches annually.

Minneapolis experiences all four seasons with yearly temperatures ranging from 7 to 84 degrees. San Francisco is known for milder weather, with summer highs around 70 degrees and winter lows around 46 degrees.

Expect a few more rainy days in Minneapolis, which receives around 32 inches of rain annually, compared to 25 inches in San Francisco. 

Experience what the “City of Lakes”

Minneapolis is an excellent spot for outdoor enthusiasts. From beautiful lakes to parks with walking trails, there are multiple places to enjoy warm weather. There are also plenty of indoor activities to enjoy all year round. Check out these attractions:

  • Guthrie Theater
  • Lyndale Park & the Grand Rounds
  • Mill City Museum & Mill Ruins Park
  • Minneapolis Institute of Art
  • Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
  • Minnehaha Regional Parks & Falls
  • Stone Arch Bridge across the Mississippi River

Making a living in Minneapolis

Despite being a smaller city, Minneapolis has a lower cost of living than San Francisco and offers multiple career opportunities. The largest job markets in the area include healthcare, social assistance, finance, education, insurance, professional services, manufacturing and technology.

Hennepin Healthcare, Target Corporation, Hennepin County, Wells Fargo, Ameriprise Financial, U.S. Bancorp, Xcel Energy and the City of Minneapolis are the largest employers in the area. Some residents also commute to nearby St. Paul, one of the “Twin Cities” with Minneapolis.

Move to Minnesota with U-Pack

U-Pack® is the best choice for a stress-free move from San Francisco to Minneapolis through our service center locations across the country. Just handle packing, loading and unloading, and then we’ll take care of transporting your things to Minnesota. Get a free moving quote and see your price instantly, or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant. We’re ready to help!