Rochester, MN vs St. Paul, MN

Rochester, MN and St. Paul, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Rochester scores 96 while St. Paul scores 97 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Rochester is $1,316/month compared to $1,248/month in St. Paul — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Paul is more affordable at $280,300 median vs $287,500.

Median household income in Rochester is $87,767 compared to $73,055 in St. Paul (+20.1%). Rochester offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Rochester spend roughly 18% of their income on rent, less than the 20.5% in St. Paul.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (44.8°F vs 46.5°F). Rochester receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 29.2" in St. Paul.