Moving from Rochester, MN to Springfield, MA
It is 1270 mi between Rochester and Springfield β roughly 23h 49m 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.
1270 mi Β· 23h 49m by car Β· MA β CT β NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | MA β CT β NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury, Bridgeport, Stamford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 96.061 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 154.996 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 97.015 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 75.781 | 100.0 |
Springfield runs about 5.8% more expensive overall than Rochester β RPP 90.821 β 96.061.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Springfield run about 5.8% cheaper β ZHVI $339,455 β $294,613 (2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Springfield +3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| 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" | 45.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 44.8Β°F vs 49.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 154,751 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $51,339 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 10.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.67 |
Springfield households earn about 5.8% less than Rochester at the median β $87,767 β $51,339 on ACS 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,339 in Springfield vs $87,767 in Rochester β a 41.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Springfield, MA from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1270 mi and the route typically takes 23h 49m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1270 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Springfield more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 5.8% higher than Rochester (96.061 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,613 in Springfield vs $339,455 in Rochester β a 13.2% lower 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· Springfield, MA.