Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Rutland?

Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Rochester, MN's $1,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Rochester versus $34,000 in Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Rutland?

Rochester is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Rochester vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,290/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,290 in Rochester, MN versus $1,120 in Rutland, VT. Overall, Rutland, VT is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, MN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,767 in Rochester, MN and $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 37% higher in Rochester, MN. Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rochester, MN

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$1,080

$893

+17% in Rochester, MN

1 Bedroom

$1,106

$856

+23% in Rochester, MN

2 Bedroom

$1,243

$1,097

+12% in Rochester, MN

3 Bedroom

$1,646

$1,207

+27% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$287,500

$176,400

+39% in Rochester, MN

Income

Median Household Income

$87,767

$55,000

+37% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,620

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.4 yr

48.5 yr

+12.1 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

65.4%

52.7%

+12.7 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

50.1%

32.2%

+17.9 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

17.2 min

14.7 min

+2.5 min in Rochester, MN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

158.9

487.8

+207% in Rutland, VT

Property Crime

1,379

3,973.3

+188% in Rutland, VT

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

45.4°F

44.6°F

+0.8°F in Rochester, MN

Annual Precipitation

33.0 in

40.5 in

+7.4 in in Rutland, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.96/gal

$3.94/gal

+0% in Rochester, MN

Area: Minnesota vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.5

24.4

+39% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$14.79

$26.07

+76% in Rutland, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MN / VT)

6.875%

+0.9 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

9.85%

8.75%

+1.1 pp in MN

Rochester vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Rutland?: Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Rochester, MN's $1,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Rochester than in Rutland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Rochester versus $34,000 in Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Rutland?: Rochester is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% 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).