Moving from Rochester, MN to San Antonio, TX
Relocating 1218 mi from Rochester to San Antonio is a 21h 32m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1218 mi · 21h 32m 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 | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Fort Worth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 94.575 | 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%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 34.0" |
Annual average temperature gap of 24.2°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in San Antonio — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.66 |
Expect median household income to fall 4.3% — $87,767 → $62,917 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Antonio MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 145,480 | $41,700 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 109,390 | $28,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 100,480 | $37,340 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 93,110 | $34,910 |
| Management Occupations | 82,250 | $100,820 |
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 San Antonio average 94°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 (24.2°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
How far is San Antonio, TX from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1218 mi and the route typically takes 21h 32m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 4.3% higher than Rochester (94.716 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 28.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 26.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 44.8°F in Rochester (24.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 34.7 in.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 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 San Antonio?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1218 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN · San Antonio, TX.