Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Rochester, NY's $1,160, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Rochester versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Spokane?

Rochester is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Rochester vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Rochester

New York

$1,160/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, NY, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $46,628 in Rochester, NY and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 29% higher in Spokane, WA. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Rochester, NY

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$750

$884

+18% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$857

$903

+5% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,114

$1,192

+7% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,240

$1,442

+16% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$120,600

$326,200

+170% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$46,628

$65,745

+41% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,210

$54,660

+7% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

37.2 yr

+3.7 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

37.2%

58.3%

+21.1 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.9%

32.6%

+2.7 pp in Spokane, WA

Avg Commute

18.9 min

21.2 min

+2.3 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

690

683.6

+1% in Rochester, NY

Property Crime

3,533.4

4,931.8

+40% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+0.7°F in Spokane, WA

Annual Precipitation

34.3 in

17.8 in

+16.5 in in Rochester, NY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.04/gal

$5.12/gal

+27% in Spokane, WA

Area: New York vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.9

14.9

+50% in Rochester, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.74

$20.41

+10% in Rochester, NY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Spokane, WA

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 / WA)

6.5%

+2.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

10.90%

None

+10.9 pp in NY

Rochester vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Rochester, NY's $1,160, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Rochester than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Rochester versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Spokane?: Rochester is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).