Living Cost Compare
Rochester

Minnesota

$1,280/mo est.

vs
Santa Fe

New Mexico

$1,310/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,280 in Rochester, MN versus $1,310 in Santa Fe, NM. Overall, Rochester, MN is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Santa Fe, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,767 in Rochester, MN and $70,110 in Santa Fe, NM — about 20% higher in Rochester, MN. Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Rochester, MN
Santa Fe, NM

Rent

Studio
$1,080
$969
+10% in Rochester, MN
1 Bedroom
$1,106
$1,167
+6% in Santa Fe, NM
2 Bedroom
$1,243
$1,559
+25% in Santa Fe, NM
3 Bedroom
$1,646
$1,733
+5% in Santa Fe, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$287,500
$411,500
+43% in Santa Fe, NM

Income

Median Household Income
$87,767
$70,110
+20% in Rochester, MN
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$60,620
$48,710
+20% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.4 yr
46.4 yr
+10.0 yr in Santa Fe, NM
Homeownership
65.4%
62.8%
+2.6 pp in Rochester, MN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
50.1%
45.4%
+4.7 pp in Rochester, MN
Avg Commute
17.2 min
20.2 min
+3.0 min in Santa Fe, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
158.9
843.3
+431% in Santa Fe, NM
Property Crime
1,379
5,189
+276% in Santa Fe, NM

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
51.9°F
+6.5°F in Santa Fe, NM
Annual Precipitation
33.0 in
13.5 in
+19.5 in in Rochester, MN

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.95/gal
$3.62/gal
+8% in Rochester, MN

Area: Minnesota vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.9
14.1
+17% in Rochester, MN
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$14.95
$11.90
+20% in Rochester, MN

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.82
+12% in Santa Fe, NM
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$2.04
+23% in Santa Fe, NM
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Rochester, MN
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$7.36
+9% in Santa Fe, NM
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.01
+4% in Rochester, MN
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.70
+14% in Santa Fe, NM

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MN / NM)
6.875%
4.875%
+2.0 pp in MN
Income Tax (top rate)
9.85%
5.90%
+3.9 pp in MN

Rochester vs Santa Fe — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Santa Fe?
Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Santa Fe, NM's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Rochester than in Santa Fe?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Rochester versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.
Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Santa Fe?
Rochester is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% 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).