Rochester wins overall by ~30% (COL index)
Cost of living: Austin vs Rochester (2026)
A $72,000 salary in Austin buys roughly what $55,475 does in Rochester (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$951/yr
Favoring Rochester for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $79/mo in Rochester, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Austin Texas | Rochester Minnesota | Who wins | Your impact at $72K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500 | $1,100Wins | Rochester wins −$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in Rochester |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,800 | $1,400Wins | Rochester wins −$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in Rochester |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,400 | $1,850Wins | Rochester wins −$550/mo | $6,600/yr saves in Rochester |
| Median home price | $480K | $290KWins | Rochester wins −$190K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98Better | 100 | Austin wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14 | $13Better | Rochester wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60 | $54Better | Rochester wins −$6/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $50Better | $55 | Austin wins +$5/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.25 | Austin wins +$0.15 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $175 | $142Wins | Rochester wins −$33/mo | $396/yr saves in Rochester |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $170 | $168Better | Rochester wins −$2/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65 | $62Better | Rochester wins −$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72KBetter | $72K | — | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Wins | 9.9% | Austin wins +9.9 pp | $7,128/yr saves in Austin |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3% | 7.5%Better | Rochester wins -0.8 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00 | $14.00Better | Rochester wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Better | $40 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00 | $6.00Wins | Rochester wins −$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 122 | 94Wins | Rochester wins -28 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 42Better | 38 | Austin wins -4 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$7,128/yr tax difference into cash back
Rochester fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Rochester.
High-yield savings
Park ~$4,800/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Austin cheaper than Rochester?
No. Rochester is 30% cheaper than Austin based on overall cost of living indices (94 vs 122, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Austin vs Rochester?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Austin is $1,800/month and in Rochester is $1,400/month. Austin is more expensive by 29%.
How much do I need to earn in Rochester to match a $75,000 salary in Austin?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $57,787/year in Rochester to match a $75,000 salary in Austin. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Austin or Rochester?
Austin has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 9.9%. Austin has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Austin to Rochester?
It depends on your priorities. Rochester offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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