Moving from Rochester, MN to Allentown, PA
It is 1071 mi between Rochester and Allentown — roughly 19h 59m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1071 mi · 19h 59m by car · PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → OH → IN → IL → WI → MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Allentown | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 99.968 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 107.591 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 100.569 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 105.52 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 10.1% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 10.1% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Allentown +3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 33.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 47.4" |
Annual temperature rises 8.3°F moving to Allentown per NOAA normals.
Allentown averages 33.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 125,320 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $53,403 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 13.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.72 |
Allentown households earn about 10.1% less than Rochester at the median — $87,767 → $53,403 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Allentown MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 54,700 | $44,160 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,170 | $43,910 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 30,110 | $29,620 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 29,400 | $34,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 28,860 | $79,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Allentown averages 33.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Allentown?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,403 in Allentown vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 39.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Allentown compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,699 in Allentown vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 8.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Allentown more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allentown is 10.1% higher than Rochester (99.968 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Allentown?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.1°F in Allentown vs 44.8°F in Rochester (8.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 33.1 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 47.4 in vs 34.7 in.
How does the job market in Allentown compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,940 in the Allentown MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 368,680 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Allentown, PA from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1071 mi and the route typically takes 19h 59m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Allentown?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1071 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN · Allentown, PA.