salaryRent is higher than in 50% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 70% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $66,360 a year. That is $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Michigan cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Michigan. It is number 133 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Rochester?
Share of households by yearly income. 47.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Rochester
| Size | Rochester | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,425 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,254 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,600 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,541 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,986 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Rochester overall?
Everyday prices in Michigan overall are 4% below the U.S. average (index 96.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Rochester, so the Michigan figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Rochester
Life in Rochester
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Rochester?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,624 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $473,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $47,320 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Rochester, MI?
Renting in Rochester costs a median of about $1,659 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Rochester?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $66,360 a year, or $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Rochester cheap or expensive?
Rochester is rated Cheap: rent takes 16.5% of the typical household income of $120,522. It ranks 133rd cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Rochester?
The median homeowner in Rochester pays $6,047 a year in property taxes, about 1.28% of the median home value.
Is Rochester more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Michigan are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Rochester?
The median home value in Rochester is $473,200, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
12,934 people live in Rochester. Numbers are typical (middle) values.