Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Rochester?

Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,290 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 54% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Cambridge than in Rochester?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Rochester?

Cambridge is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Cambridge vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Cambridge

Massachusetts

$2,810/mo est.

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,290/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,810 in Cambridge, MA versus $1,290 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Rochester, MN is roughly 54% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cambridge, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $126,469 in Cambridge, MA and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 31% higher in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Cambridge, MA

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$2,236

$1,080

+52% in Cambridge, MA

1 Bedroom

$2,496

$1,106

+56% in Cambridge, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,980

$1,243

+58% in Cambridge, MA

3 Bedroom

$3,325

$1,646

+50% in Cambridge, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$1,040,500

$287,500

+72% in Cambridge, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$126,469

$87,767

+31% in Cambridge, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$60,620

+9% in Cambridge, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

30.5 yr

36.4 yr

+5.9 yr in Rochester, MN

Homeownership

33.7%

65.4%

+31.7 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

80.2%

50.1%

+30.1 pp in Cambridge, MA

Avg Commute

26.1 min

17.2 min

+8.9 min in Cambridge, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

436.7

158.9

+64% in Cambridge, MA

Property Crime

2,657.6

1,379

+48% in Cambridge, MA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

45.4°F

+6.1°F in Cambridge, MA

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

33.0 in

+10.8 in in Cambridge, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.07/gal

$3.96/gal

+3% in Cambridge, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

17.5

+41% in Cambridge, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$14.79

+52% in Cambridge, MA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Cambridge, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Cambridge, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Cambridge, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Cambridge, MA

Average prices — Northeast vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / MN)

6.25%

6.875%

+0.6 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

9.85%

+0.8 pp in MN

Cambridge vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Rochester?: Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,290 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 54% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cambridge than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Rochester?: Cambridge is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).