What Salary Do You Need to Live in Rochester, NY?

To live comfortably in Rochester, a household needs to earn roughly $45,000/year. That's about $3,750/month before taxes.

The Number: $45,000/year

At $45,000 per year, a household in Rochester can afford median-priced rental housing at roughly 28% of gross income.

This is based on Rochester's median monthly rent of $1,090 and the 28% housing guideline. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Rochester at a Glance

Median rent$1,090/mo
Median home price$164,300
Median household income$46,882
State income taxUp to 10.9%
Sales tax8%

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

For Single Residents

A single person can live comfortably in Rochester on roughly $30,000/year. That's about $2,500/month before taxes.

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Note: Salary estimates are based on the 28% housing guideline applied to median rents from Census ACS 2024. Individual circumstances vary. Full disclaimer.

Salary Questions About Rochester

The median monthly rent is $1,090. Using the 30% guideline, you need about $44,000/year to afford this comfortably.

The median home price is $164,300. With a 20% down payment, you would need roughly $32,860 saved and a household income to support the mortgage payments.

The median household income is $46,882/year. Our recommended salary of $45,000/year is near the median, reflecting a comfortable (not extravagant) standard of living.