CostIndexUSA

New York, NY vs Rochester, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
New York
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
More AffordableNY
Rochester
97
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Rochester is moderately cheaper than New York — 13.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in New York, you would need $68,900 in Rochester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing41.1%
New York
148.6
Rochester
87.5
🛒 Groceries9.6%
New York
110.3
Rochester
99.7
🚗 Transportation7.7%
New York
111.1
Rochester
102.6
🏥 Healthcare7.6%
New York
100.5
Rochester
92.9
Utilities+4.9%
New York
127
Rochester
133.2

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, NY
$68,900
$11,100 less needed in Rochester

Formula: salary × (97 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.8615. 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, NY

Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
87.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8×

New York has 41.1% 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, NY

Median Household Income
$73,300
Per Capita Income
$41,800
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
211,328
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, NY
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.