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Moving from Houston to Minneapolis

Houston has no state income tax and mild winters. Minnesota has neither. Here is what the trade really looks like: income tax, property tax, climate and what your housing budget buys.

State Income Tax
5.35% to 9.85%
Minnesota vs.
None
Property Tax (effective, 2024)
1.00%
Minnesota vs.
1.40%
Median Home Value (county, 2024)
$392,900
Minnesota vs.
$276,600
July Avg High
83.4°F
Minnesota vs.
94.5°F
The Real Comparison

Houston vs. the Twin Cities, Without the Spin

The trade: no income tax versus a lower property tax rate.

Texas has no state income tax, and Minnesota's brackets run from 5.35% to 9.85%. On the other side, Tax Foundation data put Texas' effective property tax rate at 1.40% in 2024 and Minnesota's at 1.00%. On a $400,000 home, that is about $1,600 a year in property tax. For many households, the income tax is the bigger number, so run your own numbers with a tax professional before you decide.

CategoryHouston areaMinnesota (Twin Cities)Advantage
State income taxNone5.35% to 9.85%, graduated✓ Texas
Effective property tax rate (2024)1.40%1.00%✓ Minnesota
Median home value (county, 2024)$276,600 (Harris County)$392,900 (Hennepin County)✓ Texas
January avg high / low63.8°F / 43.7°F23.6°F / 8.8°F✓ Houston
Average annual snowfall0.1 in51.2 in✓ Houston
July avg high94.5°F83.4°F✓ Minnesota

Sources: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets (as of January 1, 2026); Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County (effective rates for 2024, from Census ACS data); U.S. Census Bureau 2024 American Community Survey 5-year county median housing values; NOAA 1991 to 2020 climate normals. County values are not metro averages, and your actual bill or price depends on the city, school district and home.

Lifestyle Comparison

What Houston-Area Buyers Weigh When They Look at Minnesota

What Often Stands Out

Cooler summers. The average July high is about 83°F here versus about 95°F in Houston, which makes summer evenings on a lake or patio a real part of life.
A different kind of weather risk. Houston-area homeowners have lived through major flood events such as Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Minnesota has its own risks, including summer storms and spring river flooding, but no hurricane season. Always check a home's flood zone either way.
Space and newer homes. Suburbs like Lakeville and Woodbury offer newer construction and larger lots at prices that can feel familiar to a Houston buyer.
Easy trips back. Minneapolis-St. Paul is a Delta hub, and Delta and United list nonstop flights from Houston Intercontinental.

Real Trade-offs

The state income tax is real. Minnesota's brackets run from 5.35% to 9.85%, with 9.85% starting at $203,150 for single filers. Houston has none. This is the main financial trade-off to model.
Winters are very different. The average January high is about 24°F, and the Twin Cities averages about 51 inches of snow a year, versus almost none in Houston. See our winter guide.
Winter driving and home prep are new skills. Snow tires, plug-in block heaters and garage space move up the shopping list. Our first-year guide covers the month-by-month routine.
Home prices run higher at the county level. Hennepin County's median home value is above Harris County's, so the housing budget does not stretch as far on paper, even though property taxes are lower.
Where to Look

Twin Cities Suburbs Houston-Area Buyers Often Shortlist

If you are used to space, newer homes and a lot of retail nearby, start with these guides.

Lakeville
Space and New Construction
Fast-growing, active recreation programming and a lot of new construction. Median about $500,000, about 35 min to Minneapolis. Read the Lakeville guide.
Woodbury
Master-Planned and Newer
Master-planned neighborhoods, extensive amenities and newer construction. Median about $450,000, about 28 min to Minneapolis. Read the Woodbury guide.
Maple Grove
Amenity-Rich Northwest
A premier northwest suburb with an extensive amenity base and master-planned neighborhoods. Median about $450,000, about 25 min to Minneapolis. Read the Maple Grove guide.
Eagan
Corporate Hub
A corporate hub close to the airport with a wide range of housing. Median about $380,000, about 20-30 min to Minneapolis. Read the Eagan guide.
Prior Lake
Lake Lifestyle
Lake access, active parks and newer lake-adjacent neighborhoods. Median about $520,000, about 35 min to Minneapolis. Read the Prior Lake guide.
Shakopee
Entertainment Hub
Growing, with new construction and a big entertainment and employment base. Median about $420,000, about 32 min to Minneapolis. Read the Shakopee guide.
Browse All 45 City Guides Take the Suburb Quiz Full Cost Comparison Compare School Districts
Common Questions

FAQ: Moving from Houston to Minnesota

If Texas has no income tax, why would I move to Minnesota? +
The income tax trade-off is real. Minnesota's brackets run from 5.35% to 9.85%, and Texas has none. Offsetting that, Tax Foundation data put Minnesota's effective property tax rate at 1.00% versus 1.40% for Texas in 2024, and many people weigh climate, schools and lifestyle alongside the numbers. A tax professional can model your income.
How cold does it really get compared with Houston? +
Much colder. The average January high at Minneapolis-St. Paul airport is about 24°F and the average low about 9°F, versus about 64°F and 44°F at Houston Intercontinental, per NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals. The Twin Cities also averages about 51 inches of snow a year.
What about flooding and insurance? +
Minnesota does not have a hurricane season, but it has summer storms and spring river flooding. Ask any agent for the flood zone and get insurance quotes for specific homes before you decide, since premiums depend on the property.
Can I buy a home in the Twin Cities before I move? +
Yes. Many buyers purchase from out of state with video tours, inspections and a local agent. See our guide on buying a Minnesota home without visiting. You can also read our Texas relocation guide.

Sources: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets (as of January 1, 2026); Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County (effective rates for 2024, from Census ACS data); U.S. Census Bureau 2024 American Community Survey 5-year county median housing values; NOAA 1991 to 2020 climate normals. County values are not metro averages, and your actual bill or price depends on the city, school district and home.

City Guides

City Guides to Explore Next

Once you know the numbers work, these city guides show where your budget goes furthest.

Eden PrairieTop-tier schools, outdoor paradise, corporate HQ hubMedian $470,000 · about 22 min to Minneapolis EdinaUpscale, walkable 50th & France, established neighborhoodsMedian $799,000 · about 12 min to Minneapolis LakevilleTop schools, active recreation programming, fast-growing new constructionMedian $500,000 · about 35 min to Minneapolis WoodburyMaster-planned, extensive amenities, newer constructionMedian $450,000 · about 28 min to Minneapolis EaganCorporate hub, major employers, close to MSP airportMedian $380,000 · about 20-30 min to Minneapolis Maple GrovePremier NW suburb, extensive amenities, master-planned neighborhoodsMedian $450,000 · about 25 min to Minneapolis PlymouthLargest suburb, excellent schools, complete communityMedian $490,000 · about 18-30 min to Minneapolis MinnetonkaUpscale, top schools, Lake Minnetonka accessMedian $490,000 · about 20 min to Minneapolis

Browse all 45 city guides by area · Best suburbs of Minneapolis

Moving from a specific city? See our guides for Boston, Chicago and Houston.

Thinking About Moving from Houston to Minneapolis?

Let's work through the numbers for your income, budget and priorities. I will give you an honest assessment, including when it makes sense and when it does not.

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