Moving from Rochester, MN to Brownsville, TX
Relocating 1468 mi from Rochester to Brownsville is a 26h 23m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1468 mi Β· 26h 23m by car Β· TX β OK β KS β MO β IA β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS β MO β IA β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, MO 110 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.3% moving from Rochester to Brownsville β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $339,455 in Rochester to $195,993 in Brownsville, a 5.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | β |
Annual average temperature jumps 29.6Β°F β 44.8Β°F in Rochester vs 74.4Β°F in Brownsville, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 3.21 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.3% β $87,767 β $48,675 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 β 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 Brownsville average 92Β°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 (29.6Β°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 far is Brownsville, TX from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1468 mi and the route typically takes 26h 23m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 5.3% lower than Rochester (85.975 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $87,767 in Rochester β a 44.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $339,455 in Rochester β a 42.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1468 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Β· Brownsville, TX.