Moving from Rochester, MN to Richardson, TX
Relocating 891 mi from Rochester to Richardson is a 16h 28m drive through 5 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.
891 mi Β· 16h 28m by car Β· MN β IA β MO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β IA β MO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 69, I 49 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Richardson | 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 |
Richardson runs about 13.5% more expensive overall than Rochester β RPP 90.821 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $339,455 in Rochester to $440,400 in Richardson, a 13.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| 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" |
Annual average temperature jumps 21.0Β°F β 44.8Β°F in Rochester vs 65.8Β°F in Richardson, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.6 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 13.5% higher in Richardson than Rochester.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson 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 Richardson 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 does the job market in Richardson compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson 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.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 891 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Richardson more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson 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 much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $339,455 in Rochester β a 29.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $87,767 in Rochester β a 9.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Richardson, TX from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 891 mi and the route typically takes 16h 28m via I 35 and US 69. The trip crosses 5 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 Β· Richardson, TX.