Is it cheaper to live in Pittsburgh or Rochester?

Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,300, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Pittsburgh versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Pittsburgh or Rochester?

Pittsburgh is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Pittsburgh vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Pittsburgh, PA versus $1,280 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Rochester, MN is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Pittsburgh, PA, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 27% higher in Rochester, MN. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Pittsburgh, PA

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$1,109

$1,080

+3% in Pittsburgh, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,079

$1,106

+3% in Rochester, MN

2 Bedroom

$1,269

$1,243

+2% in Pittsburgh, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,450

$1,646

+14% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$193,200

$287,500

+49% in Rochester, MN

Income

Median Household Income

$64,137

$87,767

+37% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,650

$60,620

+22% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

36.4 yr

+2.9 yr in Rochester, MN

Homeownership

47.2%

65.4%

+18.2 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

47.8%

50.1%

+2.3 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

23.1 min

17.2 min

+5.9 min in Pittsburgh, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

436

158.9

+64% in Pittsburgh, PA

Property Crime

2,315.7

1,379

+40% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.8°F

45.4°F

+6.4°F in Pittsburgh, PA

Annual Precipitation

39.3 in

33.0 in

+6.3 in in Pittsburgh, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.95/gal

+2% in Rochester, MN

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

16.9

+21% in Pittsburgh, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$14.95

+22% in Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Pittsburgh, PA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / MN)

6.875%

+0.9 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

9.85%

+6.8 pp in MN

Pittsburgh vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Pittsburgh or Rochester?: Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,300, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Pittsburgh than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Pittsburgh versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Pittsburgh or Rochester?: Pittsburgh is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% 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).