Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Rochester?

Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Newark or Rochester?

Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Newark vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/mo est.

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,280/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,210 in Newark, NJ versus $1,280 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, MN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,416 in Newark, NJ and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 45% higher in Rochester, MN. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Newark, NJ

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$1,111

$1,080

+3% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$978

$1,106

+13% in Rochester, MN

2 Bedroom

$1,386

$1,243

+10% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,695

$1,646

+3% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$337,800

$287,500

+15% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$48,416

$87,767

+81% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$60,620

+1% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

36.4 yr

+1.6 yr in Rochester, MN

Homeownership

24.1%

65.4%

+41.3 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.4%

50.1%

+32.7 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

33.2 min

17.2 min

+16.0 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

582.5

158.9

+73% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

1,961.8

1,379

+30% in Newark, NJ

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

54.9°F

45.4°F

+9.5°F in Newark, NJ

Annual Precipitation

46.3 in

33.0 in

+13.2 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.95/gal

+2% in Rochester, MN

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.3

16.9

+27% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.93

$14.95

+6% in Newark, NJ

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 Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Newark, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / MN)

6.625%

6.875%

+0.3 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

9.85%

+0.9 pp in NJ

Newark vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Rochester?: Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Rochester?: Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).