Moving from Rochester, MN to Arvada, CO
It is 884 mi between Rochester and Arvada — roughly 15h 34m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
884 mi · 15h 34m by car · CO → NE → IA → MN
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Boulder, Lakewood, Westminster, Denver, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 16.5% above Rochester — 90.821 → 105.782 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.5% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 17.1" |
Annual temperature rises 5.5°F moving to Arvada per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 75.5 in of snowfall annually at Arvada.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.47 |
Arvada households earn about 16.5% more than Rochester at the median — $87,767 → $113,396 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arvada MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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 — Arvada averages 75.5 in annually vs 53.1 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 44.8°F in Rochester (5.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 34.7 in.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 29.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Arvada more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 16.5% higher than Rochester (105.782 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 81.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Arvada, CO from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 884 mi and the route typically takes 15h 34m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Arvada?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 884 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 · Arvada, CO.