Plymouth, MN vs Rochester, MN

The cost of living difference between Plymouth, MN and Rochester, MN is dramatic. Rochester is 32.4% cheaper than Plymouth, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Plymouth has a cost index of 127 while Rochester sits at 96, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Plymouth is $1,705/month compared to $1,316/month in Rochester — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rochester is more affordable at $287,500 median vs $474,700.

Median household income in Plymouth is $133,865 compared to $87,767 in Rochester (+52.5%). While Plymouth is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Plymouth spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 18% in Rochester.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.8°F vs 44.8°F). Rochester receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 30.7" in Plymouth.