Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Warwick?

Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,290 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Warwick?

Rochester is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Rochester vs Warwick Cost of Living 2026

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,290/mo est.

Warwick

Rhode Island

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Warwick, RI. Overall, Rochester, MN is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Warwick, RI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $87,767 in Rochester, MN and $87,536 in Warwick, RI. Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Rochester, MN

Warwick, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,080

$923

+15% in Rochester, MN

1 Bedroom

$1,106

$1,085

+2% in Rochester, MN

2 Bedroom

$1,243

$1,629

+31% in Warwick, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,646

$1,569

+5% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$287,500

$322,000

+12% in Warwick, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$87,767

$87,536

+0% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,620

$53,680

+11% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.4 yr

44.6 yr

+8.2 yr in Warwick, RI

Homeownership

65.4%

73.4%

+8.0 pp in Warwick, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

50.1%

33.2%

+16.9 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

17.2 min

25.0 min

+7.8 min in Warwick, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

158.9

79.5

+50% in Rochester, MN

Property Crime

1,379

1,149.5

+17% in Rochester, MN

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

51.6°F

+6.2°F in Warwick, RI

Annual Precipitation

33.0 in

47.2 in

+14.2 in in Warwick, RI

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

29.2

+67% in Warwick, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$14.79

$25.75

+74% in Warwick, RI

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 Warwick, RI

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Warwick, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Warwick, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Warwick, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MN / RI)

6.875%

+0.1 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

9.85%

5.99%

+3.9 pp in MN

Rochester vs Warwick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Warwick?: Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,290 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Rochester than in Warwick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Rochester versus $43,000 in Warwick.
Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Warwick?: Rochester is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).