Rochester wins overall by ~11% (COL index)
Cost of living: Rochester vs Minneapolis (2026)
A $73,500 salary in Rochester buys roughly what $82,883 does in Minneapolis (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$4,830/yr
Favoring Rochester for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $402/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~38 months and still keep ~$48/mo for dining out.
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 | Rochester Minnesota | Minneapolis Minnesota | Who wins | Your impact at $74K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,100Wins | $1,300 | Rochester wins +$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Rochester |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,400Wins | $1,700 | Rochester wins +$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Rochester |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,850Wins | $2,200 | Rochester wins +$350/mo | $4,200/yr saves in Rochester |
| Median home price | $290KBetter | $320K | Rochester wins +$30K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 100Better | 103 | Rochester wins +3 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13Wins | $15 | Rochester wins +$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $54Better | $60 | Rochester wins +$6/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $55Wins | $95 | Rochester wins +$40/mo | $480/yr saves in Rochester |
| Gas price/gal | $3.25Better | $3.30 | Rochester wins +$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $142Better | $145 | Rochester wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $168Wins | $195 | Rochester wins +$27/mo | $324/yr saves in Rochester |
| Internet/mo | $62Better | $65 | Rochester wins +$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72K | $75KBetter | Minneapolis wins +$3K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 9.9%Better | 9.9% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.5%Better | 8.0% | Rochester wins +0.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $15.00 | Rochester wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Better | $45 | Rochester wins +$5/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Wins | $7.00 | Rochester wins +$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 94Better | 106 | Rochester wins +12 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 38 | 70Wins | Minneapolis wins +32 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
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 ~$3,600/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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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Rochester cheaper than Minneapolis?
Yes. Rochester is 11% cheaper than Minneapolis based on overall cost of living indices (94 vs 106, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Rochester vs Minneapolis?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Rochester is $1,400/month and in Minneapolis is $1,700/month. Rochester is cheaper by 18%.
How much do I need to earn in Minneapolis to match a $75,000 salary in Rochester?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $84,574/year in Minneapolis to match a $75,000 salary in Rochester. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Rochester or Minneapolis?
Minneapolis has the lower state income tax rate at 9.9% vs 9.9%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Rochester to Minneapolis?
It depends on your priorities. Rochester offers lower overall costs, 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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Salary equivalent: Rochester ↔ Minneapolis
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