Is Springfield, MA cheaper than Rochester, NY?

Based on cost of living data, Springfield, MA is 13.8% more expensive than Rochester, NY. This translates to spending an extra $1034 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Rochester, NY, you'd need approximately $162,412.475 in Springfield, MA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Springfield, MA is 65.6% more expensive than in Rochester, NY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,150/month in Springfield, MA compared to $1,633/month in Rochester, NY.

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

Living in Springfield, MA costs approximately $1034 more per month than Rochester, NY, or $12412 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Rochester, NY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.0K/month more in Springfield, MA

$150.0K in your current city equals $162.4K in Springfield, MA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Rochester, NY area

Overall Cost

↑ 13.8%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,034

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$12.4K

Per year

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

Rochester, NY

Population:207K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$198K

Springfield, MA

Population:154K

Cost Index:

114

(14% above avg)

Median Home:$294K

Rochester, NY

The Empire State

207K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Springfield, MA

The Bay State

154K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Massachusetts, this city has a population of 154K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Rochester, NY vs Springfield, MA

Category	Rochester, NY	Springfield, MA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,108/mo	$3,490/mo	↑ $1,382more	65.6%
Other	$1,738/mo	$1,341/mo	↓ $397less	22.8%
Groceries	$1,029/mo	$925/mo	↓ $104less	10.1%
Healthcare	$548/mo	$637/mo	↑ $89.77more	16.4%
Transportation	$1,315/mo	$1,346/mo	↑ $30.72more	2.3%
All Utilities	$631/mo	$614/mo	↓ $17.04less	2.7%

Housing

↑ 65.6%

Rochester, NY

$2,108

Springfield, MA

$3,490

Difference

$1,382

Other

↓ 22.8%

Rochester, NY

$1,738

Springfield, MA

$1,341

Difference

$397

less

Groceries

↓ 10.1%

Rochester, NY

$1,029

Springfield, MA

$925

Difference

$104

less

Healthcare

↑ 16.4%

Rochester, NY

$548

Springfield, MA

$637

Difference

$89.77

Transportation

↑ 2.3%

Rochester, NY

$1,315

Springfield, MA

$1,346

Difference

$30.72

All Utilities

↓ 2.7%

Rochester, NY

$631

Springfield, MA

$614

Difference

$17.04

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,157

To$809

↓ $348

1 Bed

From$1,309

To$915

↓ $394

2 Bed

From$1,633

To$1,150

↓ $483

3 Bed

From$1,968

To$1,409

↓ $559

Rochester, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,050–$1,880/mo

Springfield, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,240–$1,630/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.

$7,368

Monthly in Rochester, NY

$8,353

Monthly in Springfield, MA

$985

Difference

Home Values

Rochester

Springfield

$198K

Median Value

$294K

↑ +2.3%

YoY Change

↑ +2.5%

↑ +45.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +45.5%

$90K - $334K

Price Range

$137K - $323K

Homes in Springfield are 49% more expensive than Rochester

Calculate payment - Rochester Calculate payment - Springfield

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.0K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$170

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.4%

Rate difference

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

Springfield, 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

Additional Tax Information

Rochester, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:1.2%

Springfield, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

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.