Moving from Rochester, MN to Aurora, IL
It is a 343 mi drive, roughly 6h 21m, between Rochester, MN and Aurora, IL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
343 mi · 6h 21m by car · IL → WI → MN
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → WI → MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 39, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Rockford, Madison |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 14.1% above Rochester — 90.821 → 103.595 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 14.1% under Rochester — $339,455 → $316,958 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 39.5" |
Annual temperature rises 5.4°F moving to Aurora per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 27.9 in of snowfall annually at Aurora.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.98 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Aurora averages 27.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 2.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 343 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Aurora, IL from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 343 mi and the route typically takes 6h 21m via I 90 and I 39. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 6.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 44.8°F in Rochester (5.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 34.7 in.
Is Aurora more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 14.1% higher than Rochester (103.595 vs 90.821, 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, MN · Aurora, IL.