Movers in Rochester, MN

Rochester has an estimated population of 122,413 (US Census Bureau, 2023).

Moving to Rochester: what to know

Rochester sits in southeastern Minnesota along the Zumbro River, in a region of rolling farmland known as the Driftless Area. US Highway 52 and US Highway 63 are the main routes through the city, with Interstate 90 passing just to the south. The city is best known as home to the Mayo Clinic, whose campus anchors the downtown area, with neighborhoods including Pill Hill and the Historic Southwest district nearby. Rochester International Airport serves the city.

Housing in Rochester ranges from established neighborhoods near downtown to newer subdivisions on the city's edges, and the presence of Mayo Clinic means a steady flow of medical professionals, students, and traveling staff moving in and out. If you are relocating for a hospital assignment or fellowship, confirm any building move-in scheduling with your landlord or property manager, since short-term and corporate housing turnover can be significant here.

Rochester has cold, snowy winters and warm summers typical of southeastern Minnesota, so many people schedule moves between late spring and early fall when possible. Mayo Clinic is by far the region's dominant employer, drawing relocations from across the country and internationally. Local moves often occur within Olmsted County, while long-distance moves frequently connect to the Twin Cities, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, and other Midwest metro areas.

Sources: City of Rochester, Minnesota Department of Transportation, National Weather Service La Crosse, US Census Bureau.

What moving in Rochester actually looks like

Rochester is the 2nd largest city we cover in Minnesota, home to roughly 2.1% of the state's residents, spread over about 56.5 square miles of land (US Census Bureau Gazetteer, 2023). In areas built at this density, homes are usually a mix of houses and apartments. As a general rule, stairs, narrow streets and parking on move day tend to affect an hourly quote more than the furniture does, so confirm access at both ends with your mover.

Movers serving Rochester generally cover the surrounding area too, so a quote for Rochester is usually valid for a move to or from nearby towns. Distances below are straight-line, measured between Census centre points.

• Byron, about 8 miles
• Stewartville, about 11 miles
• Kasson, about 13 miles
• Lake City, about 31 miles
• Austin, about 34 miles
• Owatonna, about 38 miles

What a move in Rochester costs

A local move inside Rochester is usually quoted hourly: a two- or three-person crew, a truck, and travel time. The size of your home drives the hours, and packing services, stairs, long carries and bulky items such as pianos or safes add to them.

A move from Rochester to another state is priced differently, on the weight of your shipment and the distance it travels, plus any packing, storage or specialty handling. Ask every mover for the estimate type in writing: binding, non-binding, or binding not-to-exceed.

Local move or long-distance move?

Staying inside Minnesota? That’s an in-state move and a local crew can handle it. Crossing the Minnesota state line makes it an interstate move, which needs a carrier registered with a USDOT number. Our call line routes you to the right kind of mover once you tell us which one you’re doing.

Before you book a Rochester mover

• Get at least three written estimates so you can compare like with like.
• Check the mover’s USDOT or state licence number and current insurance.
• Confirm what valuation coverage is included and what an upgrade costs.
• Ask how they handle stairs, lifts, long carries and parking at both ends.
• Never pay a large deposit in cash before the truck arrives.