Moving from Rochester, MN to Lowell, MA
It is 1345 mi between Rochester and Lowell β roughly 25h 15m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 9 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.
1345 mi Β· 25h 15m by car Β· MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Madison, Rockford, Elgin, Aurora, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Lowell | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 108.266 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 148.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 99.651 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 148.424 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 19.2% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 19.2% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $339,455 to $480,319 moving to Lowell.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Lowell +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 48.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Rochester (44.8Β°F) and Lowell (49.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, LOWELL, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 114,799 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $76,205 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 18% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.71 |
Households in Lowell earn about 19.2% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Massachusetts
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Massachusetts'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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Lowell compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $480,319 in Lowell vs $339,455 in Rochester β a 41.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Lowell more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lowell is 19.2% higher than Rochester (108.266 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Lowell?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1345 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Lowell?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,205 in Lowell vs $87,767 in Rochester β a 13.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lowell, MA from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1345 mi and the route typically takes 25h 15m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 9 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· Lowell, MA.