Moving from Rochester, MN to Chattanooga, TN
It is 896 mi between Rochester and Chattanooga — roughly 17h 24m 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.
896 mi · 17h 24m by car · TN → GA → KY → IL → MO → IA → MN
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → GA → KY → IL → MO → IA → MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, US 61, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Clarksville, St Louis, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Chattanooga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 91.464 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 74.209 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 95.994 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 76.55 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.7% under Rochester — $339,455 → $319,579 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Chattanooga -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 55.0" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.1°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Light snow year: Chattanooga gets around 3.6 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 182,832 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $61,028 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.35 |
Chattanooga households earn about 0.7% less than Rochester at the median — $87,767 → $61,028 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chattanooga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 34,970 | $39,520 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,430 | $36,320 |
| Production Occupations | 26,510 | $43,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,780 | $27,910 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,460 | $31,750 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Chattanooga average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Chattanooga averages 55.0 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Chattanooga more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chattanooga is 0.7% higher than Rochester (91.464 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Chattanooga, TN from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 896 mi and the route typically takes 17h 24m via I 24 and US 61. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Chattanooga?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 896 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Chattanooga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,028 in Chattanooga vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 30.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Chattanooga?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.9°F in Chattanooga vs 44.8°F in Rochester (17.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.6 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 55.0 in vs 34.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Chattanooga compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $319,579 in Chattanooga vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 5.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Chattanooga compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 261,750 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN · Chattanooga, TN.