Moving from Rochester, MN to Goodyear, AZ
It is 1686 mi and 30h 33m from Rochester to Goodyear — 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.
1686 mi · 30h 33m by car · MN → IA → MO → KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | MN → IA → MO → KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 13.8% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.8% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $339,455 to $469,424 moving to Goodyear.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 107°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 7.4" |
Expect 29.1°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Goodyear gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.87 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 13.8% higher in Goodyear than Rochester.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 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 (29.1°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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Goodyear?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Goodyear vs 44.8°F in Rochester (29.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 7.4 in vs 34.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1686 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 Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 16.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 38.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1686 mi and the route typically takes 30h 33m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 13.8% higher than Rochester (103.316 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 · Goodyear, AZ.