Moving from Durham to Rochester (2026)
Rochester has a COL index of 94 vs 102 for Durham (100 = US average). You'd pay about 8% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$356/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
10294
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,750$1,400
per month
State tax
4.5%9.9%
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,459$4,122
per month
Salary needed in Rochester to match your Durham lifestyle
Based on the 8% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Durham | Equivalent in Rochester |
|---|---|
| $40K | $36,863 |
| $50K | $46,078 |
| $60K | $55,294 |
| $75K | $69,118 |
| $80K | $73,725 |
| $100K | $92,157 |
| $120K | $110,588 |
| $150K | $138,235 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Durham vs Rochester
| Expense | Durham | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,459 | $4,122 |
| 1BR rent | $1,750 | $1,400 |
| Groceries | $372 | $380 |
| Transport | $82 | $55 |
| Utilities | $155 | $168 |
| Internet | $62 | $62 |
| Left after essentials | $2,038 | $2,057 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Rochester cheaper than Durham?
Yes. Rochester has a cost of living index of 94 vs 102 for Durham (100 = US average). That's about 8% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Durham to Rochester?
On a $75K salary, moving from Durham to Rochester could save roughly $356/month on core expenses. That's ~$4,272/year.
What salary do I need in Rochester to match my Durham lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Durham, you'd need roughly $69,118/year in Rochester. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from Rochester to DurhamDurham vs Rochester — full comparisonDurham cost of livingRochester cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only