Moving from Spokane Valley, WA to Rochester, MN
It is 1419 mi between Spokane Valley and Rochester β roughly 24h 26m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1419 mi Β· 24h 26m by car Β· MN β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 212, MT 59 |
| Major cities en route | Sioux Falls, Billings, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane Valley | Rochester | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 90.821 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 87.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 95.433 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 78.628 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.5% cheaper overall in Rochester than Spokane Valley on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 9.5% under Spokane Valley β $408,888 β $339,455 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Spokane Valley +0.7%, Rochester +3.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane Valley | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 45Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 7Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 80Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 53.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 34.7" |
Annual temperature drops 5.0Β°F moving to Rochester per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 53.1 in of snowfall annually at Rochester.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane Valley | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,460 | 121,638 |
| Median household income | $70,722 | $87,767 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 27.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.4 |
Rochester households earn about 9.5% more than Spokane Valley at the median β $70,722 β $87,767 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rochester MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 23,780 | $97,300 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 13,960 | $48,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,470 | $30,300 |
| Registered Nurses | 8,990 | $97,300 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 8,740 | $40,190 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Minnesota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Minnesota'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
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Rochester averages 53.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Minnesota after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Rochester compared to Spokane Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $339,455 in Rochester vs $408,888 in Spokane Valley β a 17.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Spokane Valley vs Rochester?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,767 in Rochester vs $70,722 in Spokane Valley β a 24.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Rochester more expensive than Spokane Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rochester is 9.5% lower than Spokane Valley (90.821 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Rochester compare to Spokane Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,970 in the Rochester MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA, on total employment of 119,430 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Rochester, MN from Spokane Valley, WA?
The driving distance is 1419 mi and the route typically takes 24h 26m via I 90 and US 212. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Spokane Valley to Rochester?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1419 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 Spokane Valley.
City profiles: Spokane Valley, WA Β· Rochester, MN.