Is Rochester, NY cheaper than Boston, MA?

Based on cost of living data, Rochester, NY is 35.4% cheaper than Boston, MA. This translates to saving $2655 per month.

What salary do I need in Rochester, NY to live like I do in Boston, MA?

If you earn $150,000 in Boston, MA, you'd need approximately $118,140.211 in Rochester, NY to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Boston, MA and Rochester, NY?

Housing in Rochester, NY is 60.0% cheaper than in Boston, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,633/month in Rochester, NY compared to $3,865/month in Boston, MA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Boston, MA to Rochester, NY?

Moving from Boston, MA to Rochester, NY could save you approximately $2655 per month, or $31860 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Boston, MA vs Rochester, NY: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Boston, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.7K/month moving to Rochester, NY

$150.0K in your current city equals $118.1K in Rochester, NY

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area

Overall Cost

↓ 35.4%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,655

Savings

Annual Impact

$31.9K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Boston, MA

Population:685K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$961K

Rochester, NY

Population:207K

Cost Index:

(35% below avg)

Median Home:$198K

Boston, MA

The Bay State

685K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Continental

Notable Facts

•Major education center
•Biotech capital
•Historic American city

Major Industries

EducationHealthcareTechnologyFinance

Rochester, NY

The Empire State

207K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New York, this city has a population of 207K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Boston, MA vs Rochester, NY

Category	Boston, MA	Rochester, NY	Difference	Change
Housing	$5,275/mo	$2,108/mo	↓ $3,168less	60.0%
Transportation	$1,830/mo	$1,315/mo	↓ $516less	28.2%
Healthcare	$743/mo	$548/mo	↓ $196less	26.3%
Other	$1,825/mo	$1,738/mo	↓ $86.63less	4.7%
All Utilities	$716/mo	$631/mo	↓ $85.05less	11.9%
Groceries	$1,079/mo	$1,029/mo	↓ $50.41less	4.7%

Housing

↓ 60.0%

Boston, MA

$5,275

Rochester, NY

$2,108

Difference

$3,168

less

Transportation

↓ 28.2%

Boston, MA

$1,830

Rochester, NY

$1,315

Difference

$516

less

Healthcare

↓ 26.3%

Boston, MA

$743

Rochester, NY

$548

Difference

$196

less

Other

↓ 4.7%

Boston, MA

$1,825

Rochester, NY

$1,738

Difference

$86.63

less

All Utilities

↓ 11.9%

Boston, MA

$716

Rochester, NY

$631

Difference

$85.05

less

Groceries

↓ 4.7%

Boston, MA

$1,079

Rochester, NY

$1,029

Difference

$50.41

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$3,095

To$1,157

↓ $1,938

1 Bed

From$3,255

To$1,309

↓ $1,946

2 Bed

From$3,865

To$1,633

↓ $2,232

3 Bed

From$4,630

To$1,968

↓ $2,662

Boston, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,560–$3,710/mo

Rochester, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,050–$1,880/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$11,469

Monthly in Boston, MA

$7,368

Monthly in Rochester, NY

$4,101

Difference

Home Values

Boston

Rochester

$961K

Median Value

$198K

↓ -0.7%

YoY Change

↑ +2.3%

↑ +7%

5-Year Change

↑ +45.8%

$709K - $3.40M

Price Range

$90K - $334K

Homes in Rochester are 79% less expensive than Boston

Calculate payment - Boston Calculate payment - Rochester

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $2.0K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$170

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.4%

Rate difference

Boston, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

Rochester, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

Additional Tax Information

Boston, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

Rochester, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:1.2%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.