Moving from St. Paul, MN to Rochester, MN
It is a 82 mi drive, roughly 1h 44m, between St. Paul, MN and Rochester, MN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
82 mi · 1h 44m by car · MN
Distance & route
| Route through | MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 52, CR 14, CR 9 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Rochester | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 90.821 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 87.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 95.433 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 78.628 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.4% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Rochester at 90.821 vs St. Paul at 104.822.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul —, Rochester +3.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | St. Paul | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47°F | 45°F |
| January avg low | 9°F | 7°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 53.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 34.7" |
Annual average temperatures in St. Paul (46.5°F) and Rochester (44.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Rochester averages 53.1 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: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 121,638 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $87,767 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 27.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.4 |
Rochester households earn about 13.4% more than St. Paul at the median — $73,055 → $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.
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
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — 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 — 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.
Frequently asked
Is Rochester more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rochester is 13.4% lower than St. Paul (90.821 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in St. Paul vs Rochester?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,767 in Rochester vs $73,055 in St. Paul — a 20.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Rochester, MN from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 82 mi and the route typically takes 1h 44m via US 52 and CR 14. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Rochester compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,970 in the Rochester MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 119,430 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Rochester?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 82 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN · Rochester, MN.