Arizona vs. Minnesota: Which State Is Better for Living?

If you're considering moving from Arizona to Minnesota, you may be wondering what life in Minnesota is actually like—and whether trading the Arizona desert for Minnesota's lakes, greenery, and four seasons is worth it.

As a Minnesota Realtor, I've helped many people move to Minnesota from other states. Interestingly, a large number of the people I've worked with have come from Arizona. That made me curious: Why are so many people moving from Arizona to Minnesota?

So, I decided to find out for myself.

My family and I spent a week in Arizona to celebrate my son's 16th birthday. It was my first time visiting the state, and I went into the trip without many expectations beyond knowing that it was going to be hot.

After spending a week exploring Arizona, I came away with a much different opinion of the state.

I loved it.

In fact, Arizona became one of my favorite places I've ever visited.

But would I actually move there?

For me, the answer is no.

Arizona is one of my favorite places to vacation, but Minnesota is still my favorite place to live.

Here's why.

Arizona and Minnesota Have More in Common Than You Might Think

At first glance, Arizona and Minnesota couldn't seem more different.

Arizona has deserts, mountains and extremely hot summers. Minnesota is known for lakes, forests, greenery and brutally cold winters.

But after spending a week in Arizona, I realized the two states actually have several surprising similarities.

1. Both States Are Great for Outdoor Activities

One of the biggest similarities between Arizona and Minnesota is how much people enjoy spending time outdoors.

Arizona surprised me with just how much there is to do outside.

While we were in Sedona, we spent much of our time exploring the outdoors. One of my favorite experiences was hiking Cathedral Rock to watch the sunset.

The hike itself was challenging, but reaching the top and seeing the views made it completely worth it.

Minnesota doesn't have mountains like Arizona, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The Twin Cities have numerous regional parks, hiking trails and bike trails, while northern Minnesota and the North Shore offer even more opportunities to explore.

Arizona also introduced me to something I don't get to experience in Minnesota: off-roading through the desert.

We rented a UTV and spent several hours exploring the trails around Sedona. It was one of the most memorable experiences of the entire trip.

Minnesota has its own version of outdoor adventure, particularly with its extensive network of paved bike trails, mountain biking trails, hiking trails and parks.

Arizona also offers horseback riding, kayaking, off-roading and countless hiking opportunities.

Minnesota offers many of those same activities, just in a very different environment.

2. Both Are Family-Friendly States

Another thing that surprised me about Arizona was how family-friendly it was.

I had always thought of Arizona primarily as a place where Minnesotans go to escape winter or eventually retire.

Before this trip, I didn't really think of Arizona as a family vacation destination.

I was wrong.

Since we were traveling for my son's 16th birthday, we spent a lot of time looking for things the whole family could enjoy.

We visited museums, the zoo, botanical gardens and other attractions, and there was never a shortage of things to do.

Minnesota is very similar.

If you're moving to Minnesota with children, you'll find parks, recreation centers, museums, trails and family activities throughout the state.

In the Twin Cities especially, families have access to a huge variety of activities without having to travel very far.

One of the things I love about Minnesota is that you can usually find a park or outdoor recreation area within a short drive, regardless of which suburb you live in.

3. The Neighborhoods Can Change Quickly

Something else that reminded me of Minnesota was how quickly the scenery and neighborhoods could change.

In Arizona, we could drive through a normal residential neighborhood and then suddenly find ourselves surrounded by massive homes built into the mountains.

That reminded me of driving through parts of the Twin Cities metro.

For example, you can go from more modest neighborhoods in places like Richfield into the much more upscale neighborhoods of Edina.

The Twin Cities metro has a huge range of housing options, neighborhoods and communities, just like the Phoenix area.

And that's one of the reasons I think both areas can appeal to people with very different lifestyles and budgets.

Where Arizona Has an Advantage Over Minnesota

As much as I love Minnesota, my trip to Arizona made me realize that there are some things Arizona simply does better.

1. Arizona Has Incredible Geographic Variety

One of my favorite things about Arizona was how many completely different environments you can reach within a relatively short drive.

You can be in Phoenix, head toward Sedona, visit Flagstaff or travel farther north toward places like Page—and suddenly find yourself somewhere that looks completely different.

That's something Minnesota doesn't quite have to the same degree.

Minnesota has plenty of geographic variety, especially when you compare the Twin Cities to northern Minnesota and the North Shore.

But if you live in the Twin Cities, much of the surrounding area has a similar Midwestern landscape.

Arizona's mountains, desert, forests and dramatically different elevations make road trips especially interesting.

2. Arizona Has Mountains

This one is obvious, but it matters to me personally.

I love mountains.

Minnesota has beautiful scenery, bluffs and rolling terrain, but it doesn't have the massive mountain landscapes you get in Arizona.

One of my favorite parts of hiking in Arizona was knowing that the reward at the end of the trail could be an incredible view from the top of a mountain.

Minnesota offers something different.

Instead of mountains, we have lakes, forests and endless greenery.

For someone who loves mountain landscapes, Arizona has a major advantage.

3. The Dry Heat Is Actually Different

Before visiting Arizona, I was always skeptical when people said:

"It's a dry heat."

My response was basically, "100 degrees is still 100 degrees."

After experiencing it myself, I changed my mind.

I visited Arizona toward the end of May, and while I know Arizona gets significantly hotter during the summer, I was surprised by how manageable the dry heat felt.

As someone who gets hot easily, I honestly preferred 100-degree dry Arizona heat to a humid 90-degree Minnesota summer.

Minnesota summers can be beautiful, but when the humidity rises, the heat can feel much more oppressive.

Of course, Arizona's extreme summer temperatures are a completely different story, and I wouldn't pretend otherwise.

But experiencing the difference firsthand gave me a much greater appreciation for what people mean when they talk about dry heat.

Where Minnesota Has an Advantage Over Arizona

As much as I enjoyed Arizona, there were several things that made me appreciate Minnesota even more.

1. Minnesota's Greenery Is Hard to Beat

The biggest difference I noticed between the two states was the scenery.

Arizona is dominated by desert landscapes, red rocks and brown tones.

Minnesota is almost the complete opposite.

We have trees, grass, forests, parks and water everywhere.

If you live in the Twin Cities, you're rarely far from a park, lake or trail.

Minnesota has thousands of lakes, and water is a huge part of the lifestyle here.

After spending a week surrounded by Arizona's desert landscape, I realized just how much I appreciate Minnesota's greenery.

The Arizona scenery was incredible because it was completely different from what I was used to.

But I also realized that I wouldn't necessarily want to look at that landscape every single day.

2. Minnesota Has Four Distinct Seasons

Minnesota's seasons can be a major advantage or disadvantage depending on who you ask.

Winter is obviously the biggest concern for many people considering a move here from Arizona.

Minnesota winters are cold, snowy and long compared with Arizona.

But the tradeoff is that Minnesota gives you four very distinct seasons.

Spring brings everything back to life.

Summer is when Minnesotans spend as much time outdoors as possible.

Fall brings incredible colors and cooler temperatures.

And winter brings snow, skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and other cold-weather activities.

If you love warm weather year-round, Arizona will probably be a better fit.

But if you enjoy experiencing major seasonal changes, Minnesota has a lot to offer.

Is Minnesota Cheaper Than Arizona?

Cost of living is one of the biggest factors to consider if you're thinking about moving from Arizona to Minnesota.

Housing costs can vary dramatically depending on exactly where you're comparing.

The Phoenix metro area and Twin Cities metro are both large markets with significant differences between neighborhoods and suburbs.

If you're comparing specific homes, don't just compare the state averages.

Compare similar properties in similar neighborhoods.

Look at the purchase price, property taxes, insurance, utilities, HOA fees and overall cost of living.

For many people considering a move from Arizona to Minnesota, housing affordability is an important part of the conversation.

That's one reason I recommend looking at the numbers for the specific Minnesota communities you're considering rather than relying on broad state-level statistics.

Should You Move From Arizona to Minnesota?

After spending a week in Arizona, I completely understand why so many Minnesotans enjoy spending time there.

I also understand why some people eventually choose to move back to Minnesota.

Arizona has incredible mountains, beautiful scenery, outdoor recreation and a climate that many people love.

But Minnesota offers something different.

You get lakes, greenery, four seasons, family-friendly communities, extensive parks and trails, and a huge variety of suburbs and neighborhoods throughout the Twin Cities.

For me personally, the trip made my decision even clearer.

Arizona is my favorite place to vacation. Minnesota is still my favorite place to live.

And if you're considering moving from Arizona to Minnesota, I think that's the biggest question you need to answer:

Are you looking for the place you want to vacation—or the place you want to build your life?

For me, that place is Minnesota.

Thinking About Moving From Arizona to Minnesota?

If you're considering relocating from Arizona to Minnesota, you don't have to figure everything out on your own.

The Twin Cities metro is made up of dozens of different communities, and each suburb has its own personality, housing market, schools, amenities and lifestyle.

The right Minnesota community for you will depend on what you're looking for.

Whether you're moving from Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Tucson or somewhere else in Arizona, I'd be happy to help you understand what life is like in the Twin Cities and which communities might be the best fit.

I'm Brandon Archie, a Minnesota Realtor with the Archie Homes Group, and I help buyers and sellers throughout the Twin Cities metro.

If you're thinking about making the move to Minnesota, reach out and let's talk about what you're looking for and how we can make your relocation as smooth as possible.

Ready to start exploring Minnesota?

Check out my other guides and videos about moving to Minnesota to learn more about the Twin Cities, Minnesota suburbs, housing costs, lifestyle and what you should know before making the move.