Moving from Rochester, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Moving from Rochester, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 87 mi and about 1h 53m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
87 mi · 1h 53m by car · MN
Distance & route
| Route through | MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 52, MN 55, CR 14 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Minneapolis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 104.822 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 93.493 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 103.065 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 111.838 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Minneapolis is 15.4% higher than Rochester, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Rochester and Minneapolis are within 5% of each other ($339,455 vs $330,882 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Minneapolis +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 46°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 8°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 34.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Rochester (44.8°F) and Minneapolis (45.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 426,845 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $80,269 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 32.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.26 |
Median household income in Minneapolis is 15.4% below Rochester ($87,767 → $80,269, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Minneapolis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 233,400 | $49,210 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 158,540 | $40,720 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 154,580 | $81,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,950 | $31,400 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 144,720 | $46,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Minneapolis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 87 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Minneapolis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,269 in Minneapolis vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 8.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Minneapolis more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Minneapolis is 15.4% higher than Rochester (104.822 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Minneapolis compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $330,882 in Minneapolis vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 2.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Minneapolis, MN from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 87 mi and the route typically takes 1h 53m via US 52 and MN 55. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Minneapolis compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 1,911,030 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN · Minneapolis, MN.