Moving from Wilmington to Rochester (2026)

Rochester has a COL index of 94 vs 93 for Wilmington (100 = US average). Expect to pay about 1% more for the same lifestyle.

Pay ~$122 more/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline

Key differences

COL index
9394
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,550$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 Wilmington lifestyle

Based on the 1% cost of living increase between the two cities.

Your salary in WilmingtonEquivalent in Rochester
$40K$40,430
$50K$50,538
$60K$60,645
$75K$75,806
$80K$80,860
$100K$101,075
$120K$121,290
$150K$151,613

Monthly budget at $75K — Wilmington vs Rochester

ExpenseWilmingtonRochester
Monthly take-home$4,459$4,122
1BR rent$1,550$1,400
Groceries$372$380
Transport$45$55
Utilities$158$168
Internet$62$62
Left after essentials$2,272$2,057

Frequently asked questions

Is Rochester cheaper than Wilmington?

No. Rochester has a cost of living index of 94 vs 93 for Wilmington (100 = US average). That's about 1% more expensive.

How much will I save moving from Wilmington to Rochester?

On a $75K salary, moving from Wilmington to Rochester could save roughly $122/month on core expenses. That's ~$1,464/year.

What salary do I need in Rochester to match my Wilmington lifestyle?

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Wilmington, you'd need roughly $75,806/year in Rochester. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.

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