Moving from Rochester, MN to Waco, TX
The drive from Rochester, MN to Waco, TX runs 1042 mi — about 18h 25m 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.
1042 mi · 18h 25m 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 | Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Rochester (90.821) and Waco (92.55) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Waco: 1.9% below Rochester on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 37.5" |
Major climate step-up: 21.8°F warmer annual average in Waco vs Rochester.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 1.9% between Rochester and Waco (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Waco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,230 | $37,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,590 | $27,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,990 | $34,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,750 | $35,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,020 | $58,350 |
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 Waco average 95°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 (21.8°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
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1042 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 41.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 44.8°F in Rochester (21.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 34.7 in.
Is Waco more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 1.9% higher than Rochester (92.55 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 42.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Waco, TX from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1042 mi and the route typically takes 18h 25m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN · Waco, TX.