Moving from Rochester, NY to Irving, TX
It is 1450 mi between Rochester and Irving — roughly 26h 41m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1450 mi · 26h 41m by car · TX → AR → TN → KY → OH → PA → NY
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → KY → OH → PA → NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, I 71 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Denton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Irving | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.035 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.213 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.481 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.2% above Rochester — 97.035 → 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.2% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Rochester +3.0%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 102.0" | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | 37.0" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.1°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Light snow year: Irving gets around 1.6 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER GTR INTL AP, NY US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $46,628 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.3% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.71 |
Irving households earn about 6.2% more than Rochester at the median — $46,628 → $79,641 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving 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 New York 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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Irving average 96°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 (17.1°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
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Irving?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Irving vs 49.5°F in Rochester (17.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.6 in vs 102.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.0 in vs 35.1 in.
How does the job market in Irving compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving MSA vs $48,500 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 493,220 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Irving, TX from Rochester, NY?
The driving distance is 1450 mi and the route typically takes 26h 41m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $46,628 in Rochester — a 70.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1450 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Irving compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $235,784 in Rochester — a 44.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Irving more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving is 6.2% higher than Rochester (103.09 vs 97.035, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, NY · Irving, TX.