Moving from Rochester, MN to Davie, FL
It is 1649 mi and 31h 2m from Rochester to Davie — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1649 mi · 31h 2m by car · MN → IA → MO → IL → KY → TN → GA → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | MN → IA → MO → IL → KY → TN → GA → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, GA 540 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, St Louis, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Davie | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Davie is 25.7% more expensive than Rochester on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $339,455 in Rochester to $515,020 in Davie, a 25.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Davie -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Davie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 58°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 68.8" |
Annual average temperature jumps 31.1°F — 44.8°F in Rochester vs 75.9°F in Davie, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Davie sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, FT LAUDERDALE, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Davie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 106,412 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $87,171 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.77 |
Household income lines up — $87,767 vs $87,171 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Davie MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Davie average 90°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: Davie averages 68.8 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (31.1°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Davie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,171 in Davie vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 0.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Davie more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Davie is 25.7% higher than Rochester (114.155 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Davie compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Davie MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Davie, FL from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1649 mi and the route typically takes 31h 2m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Davie compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $515,020 in Davie vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 51.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Davie?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1649 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Davie?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.9°F in Davie vs 44.8°F in Rochester (31.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 68.8 in vs 34.7 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN · Davie, FL.