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ToolsCheapest NearRochester

Affordable Alternatives to Rochester

Cities ranked by lifestyle match — walkability, job market, and cost of living — not just the cheapest price tag.

COL Index94100 = US avg
1BR Rent$1,400/mo
Walk Score38/100
State Income Tax9.9%

Best overall alternatives

Ranked by lifestyle match: savings potential, walkability, and economic opportunity — not just cheapest price.

Best Match
🌾 Kansas City
Kansas, KS
12% cheaper
vs. Rochester
COL 83
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,050/mo
Monthly savings$350/mo
Walk score32/100
Median income$52K/yr
DetailsCompare
🐎 Tulsa
Oklahoma, OK
14% cheaper
vs. Rochester
COL 81
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,050/mo
Monthly savings$350/mo
Walk score28/100
Median income$53K/yr
DetailsCompare
🌻 Toledo
Ohio, OH
14% cheaper
vs. Rochester
COL 81
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,050/mo
Monthly savings$350/mo
Walk score42/100
Median income$46K/yr
DetailsCompare

Moving to Kansas City saves you $350/mo. Put it to work while you plan.

High-yield savings accounts — top rates today

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Openbank logo
Openbank
Openbank 12-Month CD
4.45%APY
See reviewOpen account
Peak Bank logo
Peak Bank
Peak Bank 12-Month CD
4.42%APY
See reviewOpen account

Stay in Minnesota

Cheaper cities within Minnesota — same state laws, familiar surroundings.

❄️ Duluth
COL 87
1BR $1,200/mo
7% cheaper

Eliminate Minnesota's 9.9% state income tax

These states charge $0 in state income tax. On a $120K salary, that's $11,880/year back in your pocket — before factoring in the lower COL.

🌮 Laredo
No income tax
COL 79
1BR $950/mo
16% cheaper
🌮 El Paso
No income tax
COL 80
1BR $1,050/mo
15% cheaper
🤠 Amarillo
No income tax
COL 80
1BR $950/mo
15% cheaper
🤠 Lubbock
No income tax
COL 81
1BR $1,000/mo
14% cheaper

More monthly income deserves a card that earns it back

No-annual-fee credit cards — earn rewards on every moving expense

Chase logo
Chase
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
1.5%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee
See reviewApply
Citi logo
Citi
Citi Custom Cash® Card
1%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee
See reviewApply
☐ Compare renters insurance →☐ Auto insurance for your new state →

More affordable metros

All other established metros cheaper than Rochester, sorted by cost of living.

🎵 Jackson, MS
COL 791BR $1,000/moSave $400/mo on rent16% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🎯 Springfield, MO
COL 791BR $950/moSave $450/mo on rent16% cheaper
DetailsCompare
⚙️ Montgomery, AL
COL 811BR $1,050/moSave $350/mo on rent14% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🎷 Shreveport, LA
COL 811BR $1,000/moSave $400/mo on rent14% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🏁 Fort Wayne, IN
COL 811BR $1,000/moSave $400/mo on rent14% cheaper
DetailsCompare
⚙️ Mobile, AL
COL 821BR $1,100/moSave $300/mo on rent13% cheaper
DetailsCompare

Rochester at a glance

94
COL index
100 = US avg
$1,400
1BR rent
per month
$290K
Home price
median
9.9%
State tax
income

Cities with similar cost of living

Houston, TXCOL: 95New Orleans, LACOL: 95Tucson, AZCOL: 93Virginia Beach, VACOL: 93

COL data: Numbeo, Zillow, BLS · Walk scores: Walk Score® · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only