Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Minneapolis, MN

The more things change, the more they stay the same

Making an out-of-state move can cause stress for even the calmest people, but there’s no need to fret when relocating from Des Moines, Iowa, to the neighboring state of Minnesota, especially when you choose a moving service like U-Pack®.  

Although you’ll find Minneapolis a larger city — twice as large as Des Moines — there are many similarities to keep you comfortable and exciting things to explore in your new hometown.  

More water and parks in Minneapolis

If you enjoyed the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers in Iowa, you’ll find similar views of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. The “City of Lakes” has more than enough water to explore, with 13 lakes, wetlands and numerous creeks and waterfalls. About 15% of land in Minneapolis is a park, placing the city in third place in the Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore® rating for 2023. The city’s Chain of Lakes is known for bicycle paths, running and walking trails, swimming, fishing, picnics, boating and ice skating.

Similar weather between the cities

Average yearly temperatures in Minneapolis are generally between 9 and 83 degrees, with lows rarely dropping below -3 degrees or highs going above 95 degrees. Like Des Moines, Minneapolis summers are warm and wet, and winters are cold, snowy and windy. You can expect almost twice as much annual snowfall, with Minneapolis averaging about 52 inches of snow annually.

Jobs available in Minneapolis

Compared to national averages, the unemployment rate in Minneapolis is lower, and salaries are higher, according to U.S. News and World Report. The job market in the Twin Cities area (Minneapolis and St. Paul) is strong, with opportunities in biotechnology, clean technology, health technology, life science, manufacturing and retail industries.  

Top employers in the area include: 

• 3M 
• Best Buy Corporate 
• Boston Scientific 
• Cargill 
• General Mills 
• Medtronic 
• National Bone Marrow Donor Program 
• Target Corporate 

Move to Minnesota with U-Pack

U-Pack has over 25 years of experience in out-of-state moving and more than 200 service centers, including locations near Des Moines and Minneapolis. We’re a self-moving service that helps you save money on your long-distance move. You take care of the packing, loading and unloading, and then we’ll ship your things. Get a free online quote now or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant. We’re available to help!