Cost of Living in Rochester, MI
Population 12,939 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Rochester is a smaller Michigan community of around 13000 residents, where median household incomes of $104,920 and housing costs ($451,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 2.5% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Rochester sits roughly 9 miles northwest of Sterling Heights — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 73% higher than Sterling Heights' $261,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Rochester
The median home value in Rochester is $450,800 — 48% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,201/month, 9% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $104,920/year is 41% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.5%, below the national average of 4.8%. Michigan's top state income tax rate is 4.3% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. Overall, Rochester has a cost of living index of 125 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 25% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Rochester, MI?
Rochester has a cost index of 125 (100 = national average). It is 25% above the national average.
What is average rent in Rochester, MI?
The median gross rent in Rochester is $1,201 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Rochester?
The median home value in Rochester is $450,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Rochester?
The median household income in Rochester is $104,920 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Rochester, MI?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Rochester is 6.0%. The Michigan state income tax top rate is 4.3%.
Is Rochester, MI affordable?
Rochester is above average in cost of living, with an index of 125 — about 25% higher than the national average.
Rochester at a Glance
- Population
- 12,939
- Median Income
- $104,920
- Home Value
- $450,800
- Median Rent
- $1,201/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.5%
- Sales Tax
- 6.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Michigan Rankings
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