salaryRochester is the 4th-largest city in New York that we track, with 208,772 residents. Rent is lower than in 67% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.3 minutes. Most households rent (62%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $53,240 a year. That is $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New York cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of New York. It is number 67 of 343 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Rochester with other big cities
Compare Rochester to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Rochester?
Share of households by yearly income. 14.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Rochester
| Size | Rochester | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $873 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $990 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,281 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,437 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,635 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Rochester overall?
Everyday prices in the Rochester metro area are 3% below the U.S. average (index 97.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Rochester
Life in Rochester
What jobs pay in Rochester
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $148,150 | 10.8% |
| Pharmacist | $136,310 | 11.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $130,430 | 12.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,110 | 12.5% |
| Software Developer | $122,770 | 13.0% |
| Operations Manager | $103,690 | 15.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $99,460 | 16.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $97,240 | 16.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,650 | 17.1% |
| Police Officer | $92,920 | 17.2% |
| Firefighter | $89,120 | 17.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $86,570 | 18.4% |
| Accountant | $80,890 | 19.7% |
| Electrician | $77,310 | 20.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $77,170 | 20.7% |
| Plumber | $73,580 | 21.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $63,570 | 25.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,840 | 25.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,060 | 25.7% |
| Carpenter | $59,490 | 26.8% |
| Truck Driver | $58,920 | 27.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $45,310 | 35.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,740 | 35.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $41,710 | 38.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,050 | 39.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,050 | 39.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,380 | 41.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,650 | 46.1% |
| Cashier | $33,850 | 47.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Rochester?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $362 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $139,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $13,960 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Rochester, NY?
Renting in Rochester costs a median of about $1,331 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New York median is $2,177.
How much do I need to make to live in Rochester?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $53,240 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Rochester cheap or expensive?
Rochester is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.4% of the typical household income of $50,919. It ranks 67th cheapest of 343 New York cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Rochester?
The median homeowner in Rochester pays $3,152 a year in property taxes, about 2.26% of the median home value.
Is Rochester more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% 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 $139,600, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
208,772 people live in Rochester. Numbers are typical (middle) values.