Moving from Rochester, MN to Denver, CO
The drive from Rochester, MN to Denver, CO runs 878 mi — about 15h 25m 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.
878 mi · 15h 25m 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 | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Denver | 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 |
Moderate COL step-up: 16.5% pricier overall in Denver than Rochester on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Denver typical home at $539,666 is 16.5% above Rochester at $339,455 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 15.4" |
Climate warms by 6.6°F on the annual average — 44.8°F → 51.4°F.
Significant snow at the destination: Denver sees 49.0 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.17 |
Household income lines up — $87,767 vs $91,681 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denver 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
- Winter gear first: Denver averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 4.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Denver?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.4°F in Denver vs 44.8°F in Rochester (6.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 49.0 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 15.4 in vs 34.7 in.
How does the job market in Denver compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Denver 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 Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 878 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Denver more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denver 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 Denver compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 59.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Denver, CO from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 878 mi and the route typically takes 15h 25m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 4 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 Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN · Denver, CO.