Moving from Rochester, MN to Downey, CA
Cross-country relocations like Rochester, MN β Downey, CA cover 1893 mi and about 33h 1m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1893 mi Β· 33h 1m by car Β· MN β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 25.0% pricier overall price level β 90.821 β 113.566 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Downey typical home at $888,710 is 25.0% above Rochester at $339,455 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 12.0" |
NOAA normals show Downey running 20.1Β°F above Rochester on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 3.22 |
Household income lines up β $87,767 vs $87,400 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Downey MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Downey sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (20.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Downey compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Downey more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 25.0% higher than Rochester (113.566 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Downey, CA from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1893 mi and the route typically takes 33h 1m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $87,767 in Rochester β a 0.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1893 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $339,455 in Rochester β a 161.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN Β· Downey, CA.