($1,563) Movers From Bakersfield, CA to Rochester, NY

What to know before moving from Bakersfield to Rochester

Moving from Bakersfield to Rochester means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Bakersfield than in Rochester, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Bakersfield compares to Rochester so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Rochester are 26% lower than in Bakersfield, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Rochester.
  Home prices in Rochester are 48.5% lower than in Bakersfield.
• Income in Rochester is 13.0% lower than in Bakersfield, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Rochester include Wegmans Food Markets, Paychex, and Bausch + Lomb.
• The cost of living for a single person in Rochester is 8.8% lower than in Bakersfield. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Rochester is 29.1% lower than in Bakersfield.
• The unemployment rate in Rochester is 66.10% higher than in Bakersfield.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Rochester, since the city’s sales taxes in Rochester are 3.03% lower than in Bakersfield.
• One perk of moving to Rochester is paying less in state income taxes, which are 18.05% lower than in Bakersfield.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,736.46 in Rochester to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Bakersfield.

How life is different in Bakersfield vs. Rochester

• Rochester might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 77% less than Bakersfield.
• Rochester offers better access to buses and trains than Bakersfield, based on public transportation ratings. Rochester has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 4 in Bakersfield. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Rochester means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Bakersfield. Rochester is considered more walkable than Bakersfield, with a score of 61 out of 100 versus 37 out of 100 in Bakersfield. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Rochester is considered more bike-friendly than Bakersfield in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Rochester has a bike-friendliness score of 60 out of 100, while Bakersfield is rated as 44 out of 100.
• Rochester has a lower crime rate than Bakersfield based on scores of 37.54 and Bakersfield's 58.49, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Rochester. With a crime index of 36.66, Rochester ranks lower in overall safety than Bakersfield, whose index is Bakersfield's 41.51. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Rochester and Bakersfield is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Bakersfield vs. Rochester move

• Weather: The cold weather and snow might be a challenge if you're planning to relocate to Rochester, NY during January and February. August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Rochester.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a New York moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: New York does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Rochester. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Rochester

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Flour City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Rochester.

Helpful moving resources