Moving from Rochester, MN to Centennial, CO
It is 895 mi between Rochester and Centennial β roughly 15h 43m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
895 mi Β· 15h 43m by car Β· MN β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 76, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 16.5% above Rochester β 90.821 β 105.782 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 15.0" |
Annual temperature rises 5.4Β°F moving to Centennial per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.59 |
Centennial households earn about 16.5% more than Rochester at the median β $87,767 β $128,167 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Centennial MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $339,455 in Rochester β a 91.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $87,767 in Rochester β a 46.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Centennial more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 16.5% higher than Rochester (105.782 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Centennial, CO from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 895 mi and the route typically takes 15h 43m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 76. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Centennial compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 895 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 Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN Β· Centennial, CO.