Cost of Living in Rochester, VT

With a cost of living index of 84, Rochester, VT is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 16% cheaper than the national average and 8% below the Vermont state average of 92. Rochester is a small community of 335 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Rochester's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $919 (30% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $251,500 (18% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.8x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Rochester is $36,932, which is 51% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 30% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.