Moving from Rochester, NY to Killeen, TX
Moving from Rochester, NY to Killeen, TX is a 1587 mi cross-country relocation — about 28h 53m 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.
1587 mi · 28h 53m by car · NY → PA → OH → KY → TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → PA → OH → KY → TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, I 71 |
| Major cities en route | Buffalo, Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Dayton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.035 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.213 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.481 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Killeen is 6.1% cheaper than Rochester overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Killeen is 6.1% below Rochester ($219,957 vs $235,784 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.0%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 102.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | 34.8" |
Killeen runs 17.1°F warmer on the annual average (49.5°F vs 66.6°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Killeen gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER GTR INTL AP, NY US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $46,628 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.3% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.61 |
Median household income in Killeen is 6.1% above Rochester ($46,628 vs $58,339, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Killeen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,840 | $37,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,620 | $26,660 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 14,700 | $81,360 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,820 | $37,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,710 | $59,740 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Killeen average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.1°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $235,784 in Rochester — a 6.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Killeen, TX from Rochester, NY?
The driving distance is 1587 mi and the route typically takes 28h 53m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Killeen more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 6.1% lower than Rochester (91.132 vs 97.035, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Killeen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 49.5°F in Rochester (17.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 102.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 35.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1587 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $46,628 in Rochester — a 25.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $48,500 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 493,220 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, NY · Killeen, TX.