Moving from Rochester, MN to Toledo, OH
The drive from Rochester, MN to Toledo, OH runs 591 mi β about 11h 8m 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.
591 mi Β· 11h 8m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β WI β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β WI β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | South Bend, Chicago, Naperville, Elgin, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Toledo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 91.455 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 96.285 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 67.317 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Rochester (90.821) and Toledo (91.455) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Toledo: 0.7% below Rochester on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Toledo +5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 32.4" |
Climate warms by 6.6Β°F on the annual average β 44.8Β°F β 51.4Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 268,461 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $47,532 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.27 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.7% between Rochester and Toledo (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Toledo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,160 | $39,900 |
| Production Occupations | 31,420 | $45,220 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,850 | $41,570 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 27,870 | $28,590 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,710 | $32,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- 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 household income compare in Rochester vs Toledo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $47,532 in Toledo vs $87,767 in Rochester β a 45.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Toledo, OH from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 591 mi and the route typically takes 11h 8m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Toledo compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $129,627 in Toledo vs $339,455 in Rochester β a 61.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Toledo compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,740 in the Toledo MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 290,070 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Toledo more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Toledo is 0.7% higher than Rochester (91.455 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 Toledo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 591 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Β· Toledo, OH.