COLD

Cost of Living in Rochester, MN

Population 121,638 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

97
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Rochester cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $288,000, rents near $1,316 a month.

Cost Overview

Housing 94
Rent 100

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Rochester

The median home value in Rochester is $287,500 — 6% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,316/month, equal to than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $87,767/year is 18% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. Minnesota's top state income tax rate is 9.8% and the combined sales tax is 7.4%. Overall, Rochester has a cost of living index of 97 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 3% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$287,500
6% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$334,408
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,316/mo
0% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,620/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.1%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$702
1 BR
$784
2 BR
$937
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,537
Owner-occupied 65.4%
Renter-occupied 34.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,316
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,930/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
18.9 min
30% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
65.5%
Carpooled
11.1%
Public transit
4.1%
Walked
4.3%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
12.9%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 9.8%
Total Sales Tax 7.4%
State rate 6.9%
Avg local rate 0.6%
Property Tax 1.1%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$87,767
18% above avg
Per Capita Income
$49,727
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
20% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Labor Force Participation
70.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 27.8%
Graduate degree 22.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.4
Male median age 35.7
Female median age 37

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 49 — Good
51.8%
Good air days/yr
167
Max AQI recorded
246
PM2.5 days
119
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

86%
4-Year Graduation Rate
42
Public schools
18,145
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Rochester, MN?

Rochester has a cost index of 97 (100 = national average). It is 3% below the national average.

What is average rent in Rochester, MN?

The median gross rent in Rochester is $1,316 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Rochester?

The median home value in Rochester is $287,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Rochester?

The median household income in Rochester is $87,767 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Rochester, MN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Rochester is 7.4%. The Minnesota state income tax top rate is 9.8%.

Is Rochester, MN affordable?

Rochester is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 97 (100 = US average).

Rochester at a Glance

Population
121,638
Median Income
$87,767
Home Value
$287,500
Median Rent
$1,316/mo
Unemployment
3.8%
Sales Tax
7.4%
View all cities in Minnesota →

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