Moving from Rochester, MN to Green Bay, WI
Moving from Rochester, MN to Green Bay, WI covers 274 mi and about 5h 40m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
274 mi Β· 5h 40m by car Β· MN β WI
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 41, US 41 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Green Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 93.086 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 90.041 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 93.787 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 74.696 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Rochester (90.821) and Green Bay (93.086) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Green Bay ZHVI at $278,024 is 2.5% below Rochester at $339,455.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Green Bay +5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Green Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 45Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 9Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 80Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 32.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, GREEN BAY BOTANICAL, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Green Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 106,585 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $62,546 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.42 |
Median household income in Green Bay is 2.5% below Rochester ($87,767 vs $62,546, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Green Bay MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,540 | $44,720 |
| Production Occupations | 21,100 | $46,550 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 17,340 | $44,580 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,060 | $36,480 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,500 | $28,870 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Wisconsin
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Wisconsin'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.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Green Bay compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $278,024 in Green Bay vs $339,455 in Rochester β a 18.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Green Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,546 in Green Bay vs $87,767 in Rochester β a 28.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Green Bay compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,410 in the Green Bay MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 171,590 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 Green Bay?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 274 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Green Bay more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Green Bay is 2.5% higher than Rochester (93.086 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Green Bay, WI from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 274 mi and the route typically takes 5h 40m via I 90 and I 41. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN Β· Green Bay, WI.