Is it cheaper to live in Richmond or Rochester?

Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Richmond versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Richmond or Rochester?

Richmond is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Richmond vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Richmond, VA versus $1,280 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Rochester, MN is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Richmond, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,671 in Richmond, VA and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 29% higher in Rochester, MN. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Richmond, VA

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$1,183

$1,080

+9% in Richmond, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,106

+7% in Richmond, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,374

$1,243

+10% in Richmond, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,447

$1,646

+14% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$328,100

$287,500

+12% in Richmond, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$62,671

$87,767

+40% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,460

$60,620

+18% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.5 yr

36.4 yr

+1.9 yr in Rochester, MN

Homeownership

43.5%

65.4%

+21.9 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.1%

50.1%

+6.0 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

22.1 min

17.2 min

+4.9 min in Richmond, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

349

158.9

+54% in Richmond, VA

Property Crime

3,240.2

1,379

+57% in Richmond, VA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

58.9°F

45.4°F

+13.5°F in Richmond, VA

Annual Precipitation

43.6 in

33.0 in

+10.6 in in Richmond, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.95/gal

+2% in Rochester, MN

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.6

16.9

+4% in Richmond, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$23.66

$14.95

+37% in Richmond, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rochester, MN

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Richmond, VA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Rochester, MN

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Rochester, MN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VA / MN)

5.3%

6.875%

+1.6 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

5.75%

9.85%

+4.1 pp in MN

Richmond vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Richmond or Rochester?: Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Richmond than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Richmond versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Richmond or Rochester?: Richmond is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).