Moving from Rochester, NY to Aurora, IL
Relocating 638 mi from Rochester to Aurora is a 12h 20m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
638 mi · 12h 20m by car · NY → PA → OH → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → PA → OH → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 294 |
| Major cities en route | Buffalo, Cleveland, Akron, Toledo, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.035 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.213 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.481 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.8% 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 6.8% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $235,784 to $316,958 moving to Aurora.
YoY change: Rochester +3.0%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 102.0" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | 39.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Rochester (49.5°F) and Aurora (50.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Aurora averages 27.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER GTR INTL AP, NY US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $46,628 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.3% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.98 |
Expect median household income to rise 6.8% — $46,628 → $90,109 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Aurora averages 27.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Aurora, IL from Rochester, NY?
The driving distance is 638 mi and the route typically takes 12h 20m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $48,500 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 493,220 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Aurora more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 6.8% higher than Rochester (103.595 vs 97.035, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $46,628 in Rochester — a 93.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $235,784 in Rochester — a 34.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 638 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 49.5°F in Rochester (0.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 102.0 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 35.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, NY · Aurora, IL.