Is it cheaper to live in Paterson or Rochester?

Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,290 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Paterson versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Paterson or Rochester?

Paterson 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).

Paterson vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Paterson

New Jersey

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Paterson, NJ versus $1,290 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Rochester, MN is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Paterson, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,766 in Paterson, NJ and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 39% 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.

Paterson, NJ

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$786

$1,080

+37% in Rochester, MN

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,106

+7% in Paterson, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,468

$1,243

+15% in Paterson, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,729

$1,646

+5% in Paterson, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$335,400

$287,500

+14% in Paterson, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$53,766

$87,767

+63% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$60,620

+1% in Paterson, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.3 yr

36.4 yr

+3.1 yr in Rochester, MN

Homeownership

26.2%

65.4%

+39.2 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

12.5%

50.1%

+37.6 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

23.1 min

17.2 min

+5.9 min in Paterson, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,010.1

158.9

+84% in Paterson, NJ

Property Crime

2,391.4

1,379

+42% in Paterson, NJ

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.2°F

45.4°F

+6.8°F in Paterson, NJ

Annual Precipitation

49.0 in

33.0 in

+16.0 in in Paterson, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.96/gal

+0% in Rochester, MN

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.9

17.5

+30% in Paterson, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.68

$14.79

+16% in Paterson, 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 Paterson, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Paterson, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Paterson, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Paterson, 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

Paterson vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Paterson or Rochester?: Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,290 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Paterson than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Paterson versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Paterson or Rochester?: Paterson 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).