Moving from Springfield, MA to Rochester, MN
It is 1270 mi between Springfield and Rochester 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
| Springfield | Rochester | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.061 | 90.821 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.996 | 87.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.015 | 95.433 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.781 | 78.628 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.5% cheaper overall in Rochester than Springfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 5.5% above Springfield β $294,613 β $339,455 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Springfield +3.5%, Rochester +3.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 45Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 7Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 80Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 53.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.2" | 34.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 53.1 in of snowfall annually at Rochester.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP, MA US, ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 121,638 |
| Median household income | $51,339 | $87,767 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.8% | 27.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.4 |
Rochester households earn about 5.5% more than Springfield at the median β $51,339 β $87,767 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rochester MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 23,780 | $97,300 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 13,960 | $48,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,470 | $30,300 |
| Registered Nurses | 8,990 | $97,300 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 8,740 | $40,190 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Massachusetts and Minnesota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Minnesota'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Rochester averages 53.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β 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 Minnesota after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Rochester?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,767 in Rochester vs $51,339 in Springfield β a 71.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Rochester, MN from Springfield, MA?
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.
Is Rochester more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rochester is 5.5% lower than Springfield (90.821 vs 96.061, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Rochester?
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.
How much do homes cost in Rochester compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $339,455 in Rochester vs $294,613 in Springfield β a 15.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MA Β· Rochester, MN.