CostIndexUSA

New York, NY vs Rochester, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
New York
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
More AffordableMN
Rochester
90.8
overall index
$1,625/mo rent

Rochester is significantly cheaper than New York — 19.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in New York, you would need $64,500 in Rochester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing47.1%
New York
148.6
Rochester
78.6
🛒 Groceries13.5%
New York
110.3
Rochester
95.4
🚗 Transportation12.9%
New York
111.1
Rochester
96.8
🏥 Healthcare12.8%
New York
100.5
Rochester
87.6
Utilities31.2%
New York
127
Rochester
87.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in New York to see what you'd need to earn in Rochester to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Rochester, MN
$64,500
$15,500 less needed in Rochester

Formula: salary × (90.8 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.8064. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

New York, NY

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Rochester, MN

Median Home Price
$324,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
78.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6×

New York has 47.1% lower housing costs compared to Rochester.

Income & Job Market

New York, NY

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
8,336,817
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaReal EstateHealthcare

Rochester, MN

Median Household Income
$85,200
Per Capita Income
$48,600
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
Population
121,395
Top Industries
HealthcareTechnologyEducationManufacturingFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

New York, NY
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% of income left after rent (median)

Rochester, MN
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.