Moving from Rochester, MN to Arlington, TX
The drive from Rochester, MN to Arlington, TX runs 964 mi β about 17h 5m 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.
964 mi Β· 17h 5m by car Β· TX β OK β KS β MO β IA β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS β MO β IA β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, MO 110 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Irving, Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 90.821 in Rochester to 103.09 in Arlington, a 13.5% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Arlington ZHVI at $310,971 is 13.5% below Rochester at $339,455.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 36.2" |
Major climate step-up: 22.0Β°F warmer annual average in Arlington vs Rochester.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.81 |
Income steps down 13.5%: $87,767 in Rochester vs $73,519 in Arlington.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arlington 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 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 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Arlington average 96Β°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 (22.0Β°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
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $87,767 in Rochester β a 16.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 964 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Arlington more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 13.5% higher than Rochester (103.09 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $339,455 in Rochester β a 8.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Arlington, TX from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 964 mi and the route typically takes 17h 5m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN Β· Arlington, TX.