Cost of Living in Rochester, NY
Is it worth moving here?
How far does a $70,000 salary go in Rochester? Estimated income taxes on that gross salary total approximately $10,486 per year — combining federal taxes with New York's state income tax. Subtract rent for a 2-bedroom apartment ($1,573/month based on HUD Fair Market Rents for the Rochester metro area) and the estimated annual take-home is $40,638, or roughly $3,387 per month for everything else: food, transportation, savings, and discretionary spending.
The Rochester metro has a cost of living index of 94.4 according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (national average = 100). This gives Rochester a moderate affordability advantage — groceries, dining, and services tend to cost less than the U.S. average.
At a $70,000 salary, the estimated 2-bedroom rent in Rochester represents approximately 27% of gross income. That approaches the 30% threshold commonly used to define affordability. A smaller unit or a higher salary would improve the picture.
Annual Breakdown
Cost of Living Index
Living in Rochester, NY is roughly 6% less expensive than the national average.
Monthly Take-Home
... / mo
Affordability Score
K-12 Schools
See Details →Colleges & Universities
See Details →| Institution | Enrollment | In-State Tuition | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp Edgez Barber Institute | 63 | $0 | 94.0% |
| University of Rochester | 12,160 | $63,150 | 84.0% |
| Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing | 160 | $0 | 83.0% |
| Shear Ego International School of Hair Design | 133 | $0 | 82.0% |
| St. John Fisher University | 3,674 | $38,566 | 74.0% |
| Nazareth University | 2,439 | $38,790 | 73.0% |
| Hobart William Smith Colleges | 1,669 | $61,858 | 73.0% |
| SUNY College at Geneseo | 3,928 | $7,070 | 72.0% |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | 16,863 | $55,784 | 71.0% |
| Elim Bible Institute and College | 98 | $9,178 | 70.0% |
| Roberts Wesleyan University | 1,619 | $36,004 | 64.0% |
| SUNY Brockport | 6,931 | $7,070 | 57.0% |
| Continental School of Beauty Culture-Rochester | 213 | $0 | 56.0% |
| Empire Beauty School-Rochester | 83 | $0 | 36.0% |
| Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES-Practical Nursing Program | 77 | $0 | 36.0% |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Greece | 333 | $18,573 | 30.0% |
| Finger Lakes Community College | 5,457 | $5,280 | 28.0% |
| Monroe Community College | 8,530 | $4,900 | 23.0% |
| Talmudical Institute of Upstate New York | 18 | $6,150 | 17.0% |
| Northeastern Seminary | 209 | $0 | — |
| St Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry | 171 | $0 | — |
| Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing & Health Sciences | 65 | $10,900 | — |
| Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School | 63 | $0 | — |
| Marion S Whelan School of Nursing of Geneva General Hospital | 10 | $8,925 | — |