Moving from Rochester, MN to Laredo, TX
It is 1370 mi between Rochester and Laredo — roughly 24h 8m 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.
1370 mi · 24h 8m 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 | San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.3% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 19.7" |
Annual average temperature gap of 30.2°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Laredo — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 3.36 |
Laredo households earn about 4.3% less than Rochester at the median — $87,767 → $63,264 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100°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 (30.2°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
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 44.8°F in Rochester (30.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 34.7 in.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 27.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1370 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 35.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Laredo more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 4.3% lower than Rochester (86.956 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Laredo, TX from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1370 mi and the route typically takes 24h 8m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 6 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 · Laredo, TX.