Moving from Aurora, IL to Rochester, MN
It is a 343 mi drive, roughly 6h 21m, between Aurora, IL and Rochester, MN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
343 mi · 6h 21m by car · IL → WI → MN
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → WI → MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 39, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Rockford, Madison |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Rochester | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 90.821 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 87.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 95.433 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 78.628 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.3% cheaper overall in Rochester than Aurora on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 12.3% above Aurora — $316,958 → $339,455 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Rochester +3.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Aurora | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 45°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 7°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | 53.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 34.7" |
Annual temperature drops 5.4°F moving to Rochester per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 53.1 in of snowfall annually at Rochester.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 121,638 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $87,767 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 27.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.4 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rochester MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 23,780 | $97,300 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 13,960 | $48,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,470 | $30,300 |
| Registered Nurses | 8,990 | $97,300 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 8,740 | $40,190 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Minnesota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Minnesota's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Rochester averages 53.1 in annually vs 27.9 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Minnesota after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Rochester compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $339,455 in Rochester vs $316,958 in Aurora — a 7.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Rochester?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,767 in Rochester vs $90,109 in Aurora — a 2.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Rochester compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,970 in the Rochester MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 119,430 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Rochester, MN from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 343 mi and the route typically takes 6h 21m via I 90 and I 39. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Rochester?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 343 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Aurora and Rochester?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 44.8°F in Rochester vs 50.2°F in Aurora (5.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 53.1 in vs 27.9 in. Annual precipitation: 34.7 in vs 39.5 in.
Is Rochester more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rochester is 12.3% lower than Aurora (90.821 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL · Rochester, MN.