Cost of living index
Rochester, NY
97 / 100
Living in Rochester, NY is 3.0% cheaper than the US average.
Overall prices
97
Housing / rent
87.5
vs US average
−3.0%
What it costs to live in Rochester, NY
Rochester, NY has an overall price level of 97 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 3.0% lower than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 87.5 it is 12.5% below the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is Rochester, NY an expensive place to live?
Rochester, NY has an overall cost-of-living index of 97, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 3.0% cheaper than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in Rochester, NY?
Housing in Rochester, NY scores 87.5 against a US average of 100 — roughly 12.5% below average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does Rochester, NY compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in Rochester, NY sit at 97 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 87.5. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.