Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Salem?

Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Rochester versus $40,000 in Salem.

Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Salem?

Rochester is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Rochester vs Salem Cost of Living 2026

Rochester

New York

$1,160/mo est.

Salem

Oregon

$1,170/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Rochester, NY versus $1,170 in Salem, OR. Overall, Rochester, NY is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Salem, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $46,628 in Rochester, NY and $71,900 in Salem, OR — about 35% higher in Salem, OR. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Rochester, NY

Salem, OR

Rent

Studio

$750

$1,075

+43% in Salem, OR

1 Bedroom

$857

$989

+15% in Salem, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,114

$1,337

+20% in Salem, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,240

$1,778

+43% in Salem, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$120,600

$382,400

+217% in Salem, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$46,628

$71,900

+54% in Salem, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,210

$55,310

+8% in Salem, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

35.7 yr

+2.2 yr in Salem, OR

Homeownership

37.2%

55.7%

+18.5 pp in Salem, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.9%

31.4%

+1.5 pp in Salem, OR

Avg Commute

18.9 min

22.4 min

+3.5 min in Salem, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

690

540.6

+22% in Rochester, NY

Property Crime

3,533.4

2,878.6

+19% in Rochester, NY

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

48.2°F

53.0°F

+4.8°F in Salem, OR

Annual Precipitation

34.3 in

39.7 in

+5.4 in in Salem, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.04/gal

$5.09/gal

+26% in Salem, OR

Area: New York vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.9

16.3

+46% in Rochester, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.74

$20.59

+9% in Rochester, NY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Salem, OR

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Salem, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Salem, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Rochester, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NY / OR)

None

+4.0 pp in NY

Income Tax (top rate)

10.90%

9.90%

+1.0 pp in NY

Rochester vs Salem — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Salem?: Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Rochester than in Salem?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Rochester versus $40,000 in Salem.
Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Salem?: Rochester is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).