Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Tampa?

Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Rochester versus $53,000 in Tampa.

Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Tampa?

Rochester is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Rochester vs Tampa Cost of Living 2026

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,280/mo est.

Tampa

Florida

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tampa, FL. Overall, Rochester, MN is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tampa, FL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,767 in Rochester, MN and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 19% higher in Rochester, MN. Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Rochester, MN

Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio

$1,080

$1,242

+15% in Tampa, FL

1 Bedroom

$1,106

$1,324

+20% in Tampa, FL

2 Bedroom

$1,243

$1,673

+35% in Tampa, FL

3 Bedroom

$1,646

$1,729

+5% in Tampa, FL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$287,500

$375,300

+31% in Tampa, FL

Income

Median Household Income

$87,767

$71,302

+19% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,620

$48,940

+19% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.4 yr

35.6 yr

+0.8 yr in Rochester, MN

Homeownership

65.4%

50.2%

+15.2 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

50.1%

44.6%

+5.5 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

17.2 min

24.7 min

+7.5 min in Tampa, FL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

158.9

443.2

+179% in Tampa, FL

Property Crime

1,379

1,473.2

+7% in Tampa, FL

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

73.4°F

+28.0°F in Tampa, FL

Annual Precipitation

33.0 in

46.3 in

+13.3 in in Tampa, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.95/gal

$3.77/gal

+5% in Rochester, MN

Area: Minnesota vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs HART (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.9

15.2

+11% in Rochester, MN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$14.95

$23.62

+58% in Tampa, FL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Rochester, MN

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Tampa, FL

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Rochester, MN

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Rochester, MN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MN / FL)

6.875%

+0.9 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

9.85%

None

+9.8 pp in MN

Rochester vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Tampa?: Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Rochester than in Tampa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Rochester versus $53,000 in Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Tampa?: Rochester is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax 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).