Moving from Rochester, MN to Austin, TX
The drive from Rochester, MN to Austin, TX runs 1137 mi — about 20h 1m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1137 mi · 20h 1m by car · TX → OK → KS → MO → IA → MN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → KS → MO → IA → MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, MO 110 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Fort Worth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 8.0% pricier overall in Austin than Rochester on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Austin typical home at $508,530 is 8.0% above Rochester at $339,455 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 36.3" |
NOAA normals show Austin running 25.2°F above Rochester on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.2 |
Household income lines up — $87,767 vs $91,461 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (25.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 4.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1137 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 44.8°F in Rochester (25.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 34.7 in.
How far is Austin, TX from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1137 mi and the route typically takes 20h 1m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Austin more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 8.0% higher than Rochester (98.066 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 49.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN · Austin, TX.