salaryRochester is the 5th-largest city in New Hampshire that we track, with 33,144 residents. Rent is higher than in 76% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $87,040 a year. That is $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New Hampshire cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of New Hampshire. It is number 20 of 26 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Rochester?
Share of households by yearly income. 30.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Rochester
| Size | Rochester | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,330 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,088 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,688 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,672 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,330 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Rochester overall?
Everyday prices in New Hampshire overall are 4% above the U.S. average (index 104.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Rochester, so the New Hampshire figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Rochester
Life in Rochester
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Rochester?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $239 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $279,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $27,910 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Rochester, NH?
Renting in Rochester costs a median of about $2,176 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Hampshire median is $1,916.
How much do I need to make to live in Rochester?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $87,040 a year, or $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Rochester cheap or expensive?
Rochester is rated OK: rent takes 30.0% of the typical household income of $87,182. It ranks 20th cheapest of 26 New Hampshire cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Rochester?
The median homeowner in Rochester pays $5,334 a year in property taxes, about 1.91% of the median home value.
Is Rochester more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in New Hampshire are 4% above 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 $279,100, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
33,144 people live in Rochester. Numbers are typical (middle) values.