Moving from Rochester, MN to Moreno Valley, CA
Moving from Rochester, MN to Moreno Valley, CA is a 1871 mi cross-country relocation β about 32h 35m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1871 mi Β· 32h 35m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β WY β SD β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β WY β SD β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, I 90, US 14 |
| Major cities en route | Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Riverside, Ontario |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Moreno Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 17.2% pricier overall in Moreno Valley than Rochester on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Moreno Valley typical home at $551,284 is 17.2% above Rochester at $339,455 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Moreno Valley -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 10.7" |
NOAA normals show Moreno Valley running 18.5Β°F above Rochester on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, MARCH AFB, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 210,378 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $87,477 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 32.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 12.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 3.84 |
Household income lines up β $87,767 vs $87,477 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Moreno Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- 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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Moreno Valley average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Moreno Valley sees only 10.7 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 (18.5Β°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 Moreno Valley compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Moreno Valley compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $551,284 in Moreno Valley vs $339,455 in Rochester β a 62.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Moreno Valley, CA from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1871 mi and the route typically takes 32h 35m via I 15 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Moreno Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1871 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Moreno Valley more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Moreno Valley is 17.2% higher than Rochester (106.442 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Moreno Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,477 in Moreno Valley vs $87,767 in Rochester β a 0.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN Β· Moreno Valley, CA.