Moving from Aurora, IL to Rochester, NY
Relocating 638 mi from Aurora to Rochester is a 12h 20m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
638 mi · 12h 20m by car · NY → PA → OH → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → PA → OH → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 294 |
| Major cities en route | Buffalo, Cleveland, Akron, Toledo, South Bend |
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 | 97.035 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 133.213 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 99.693 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 87.481 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.3% cheaper overall in Rochester than Aurora on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.3% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Rochester +3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Aurora | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | 102.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 35.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 102.0 in of snowfall annually at Rochester.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, ROCHESTER GTR INTL AP, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 209,720 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $46,628 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 17.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.27 |
Expect median household income to fall 6.3% — $90,109 → $46,628 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rochester MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 61,270 | $44,600 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 45,540 | $60,700 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 41,530 | $35,920 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 39,820 | $34,320 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 34,560 | $39,810 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and New York
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New York'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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
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 102.0 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 New York after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Rochester more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rochester is 6.3% lower than Aurora (97.035 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Aurora and Rochester?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.5°F in Rochester vs 50.2°F in Aurora (0.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 102.0 in vs 27.9 in. Annual precipitation: 35.1 in vs 39.5 in.
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 638 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Rochester compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,500 in the Rochester MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 493,220 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Rochester compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $235,784 in Rochester vs $316,958 in Aurora — a 25.6% lower 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 $46,628 in Rochester vs $90,109 in Aurora — a 48.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Rochester, NY from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 638 mi and the route typically takes 12h 20m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL · Rochester, NY.