Moving from Rochester, MN to St. Paul, MN
It is a 82 mi drive, roughly 1h 44m, between Rochester, MN and St. Paul, MN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
82 mi Β· 1h 44m by car Β· MN
Distance & route
| Route through | MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 52, CR 14, CR 9 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | St. Paul | 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 prices come in 15.4% above Rochester β 90.821 β 104.822 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, St. Paul β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 9Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 29.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 307,762 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $73,055 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.5 |
Households in St. Paul earn about 15.4% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Paul 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 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in St. Paul compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the St. Paul 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.
How far is St. Paul, MN from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 82 mi and the route typically takes 1h 44m via US 52 and CR 14. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is St. Paul more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Paul is 15.4% higher than Rochester (104.822 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to St. Paul?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 82 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs St. Paul?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,055 in St. Paul vs $87,767 in Rochester β a 16.8% lower 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· St. Paul, MN.