Cost of Living in Rochester, PA
Population 3,445 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
At $40,710, median household incomes in Rochester land roughly 45% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. A poverty rate near 29% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Rochester sits roughly 25 miles northwest of Pittsburgh — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 43% lower than Pittsburgh's $193,000.
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 $109,300 — 64% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $744/month, 43% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $40,710/year is 45% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.4%, above the national average of 4.8%. Pennsylvania's top state income tax rate is 3.1% and the combined sales tax is 6.3%. The climate averages highs of 61.1°F and lows of 42.5°F, with about 44.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Rochester has a cost of living index of 44 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 56% less expensive.
Rochester has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 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
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 36 | 40 | 49 | 62 | 72 | 79 | 83 | 82 | 75 | 63 | 51 | 41 |
| Low °F | 21 | 23 | 30 | 41 | 51 | 59 | 63 | 62 | 55 | 44 | 34 | 27 |
| Precip" | 2.96 | 2.62 | 3.15 | 3.32 | 3.83 | 4.12 | 4.26 | 3.52 | 3.30 | 2.83 | 2.86 | 2.84 |
| Snow" | 13.3 | 11.7 | 7.6 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 2.4 | 7.7 |
💨 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, PA?
Rochester has a cost index of 44 (100 = national average). It is 56% below the national average.
What is average rent in Rochester, PA?
The median gross rent in Rochester is $744 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Rochester?
The median home value in Rochester is $109,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Rochester?
The median household income in Rochester is $40,710 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Rochester, PA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Rochester is 6.3%. The Pennsylvania state income tax top rate is 3.1%.
Is Rochester, PA affordable?
Yes, Rochester is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 44 — about 56% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Rochester?
Rochester has average high temperatures of 61.1°F and average lows of 42.5°F. Annual precipitation is 39.6". Average annual snowfall is 44.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Rochester at a Glance
- Population
- 3,445
- Median Income
- $40,710
- Home Value
- $109,300
- Median Rent
- $744/mo
- Unemployment
- 7.4%
- Avg High Temp
- 61.1°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.3%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Pennsylvania Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
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