($1,574) Movers From McAllen, TX to Rochester, NY

What to know before moving from McAllen to Rochester

Moving from McAllen to Rochester comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Rochester is generally more expensive than McAllen, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Rochester are 7% lower than in McAllen, 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 9.3% lower than in McAllen.
• Income in Rochester is 11.8% higher than in McAllen, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Rochester include Wegmans Food Markets, Paychex, and Bausch + Lomb.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Rochester, since the cost of living for a single person in Rochester is 56.1% higher than in McAllen. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Rochester, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Rochester is 38.3% higher than in McAllen.
• The unemployment rate in Rochester is 24.05% higher than in McAllen.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Rochester, since the city’s sales taxes in Rochester are 3.03% lower than in McAllen.
• State income taxes in Rochester are 10.90% higher than in McAllen.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,682.22 in Rochester to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in McAllen.

How life is different in McAllen vs. Rochester

• The population of Rochester is about 49% greater than McAllen, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Rochester offers better access to buses and trains than McAllen, based on public transportation ratings. Rochester has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 3 in McAllen. 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 McAllen. Rochester is considered more walkable than McAllen, with a score of 61 out of 100 versus 41 out of 100 in McAllen. 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 McAllen 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 McAllen is rated as 46 out of 100.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Rochester as McAllen. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• 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 McAllen, whose index is McAllen's 63.74. 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.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Rochester has better air quality than in McAllen. Rochester has Good air quality, compared to moderate in McAllen. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your McAllen 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in New York, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While New York doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Rochester without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Rochester

With your sights set on "Flour City", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Rochester.

Helpful moving resources