Moving from Rochester, MN to Plano, TX
The drive from Rochester, MN to Plano, TX runs 888 mi β about 16h 29m 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.
888 mi Β· 16h 29m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IA β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IA β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 69, MO 110 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Irving, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Denton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Plano | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 13.5% pricier overall in Plano than Rochester on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Plano typical home at $498,989 is 13.5% above Rochester at $339,455 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Plano -5.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 41.9" |
NOAA normals show Plano running 21.0Β°F above Rochester on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 287,339 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $108,649 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 39.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 13.5% between Rochester and Plano (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Plano MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Plano average 94Β°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 (21.0Β°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 much do homes cost in Plano compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $498,989 in Plano vs $339,455 in Rochester β a 47.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Plano?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 888 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Plano, TX from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 888 mi and the route typically takes 16h 29m via I 35 and US 69. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Plano more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Plano is 13.5% higher than Rochester (103.09 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Plano compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Plano MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 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 Plano?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,649 in Plano vs $87,767 in Rochester β a 23.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN Β· Plano, TX.