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City Report · MI

Rochester

Pop. 12,934·23rd most expensive in Michigan·Rochester rents are up 21.7% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,855/mo
Year-over-Year
+21.7%
Month-over-Month
+7.5%
vs US Median
-$107
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Rochester · $1,855
More expensive than 50% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,855/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$74,000/yr
Local median income
$111,750/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Rochester's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,193
1 BR
$1,134
2 BR
$1,447
3 BR
$2,298
4 BR+
$2,700
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,447/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,855 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$22,260/yr
At $1,855/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 21.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+21.7% YoY, +7.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Rochester, MI is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 70% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,934
Median income
$111,750
Median age
41.2
Renters
32.9%
Age distribution
22.1%
21.7%
27.5%
13.1%
15.6%
Under 1822.1%
18–3421.7%
35–5427.5%
55–6413.1%
65+15.6%
Gender
47.5%
52.5%
Male47.5%
Female52.5%
Race & ethnicity
80.5%
White80.5%
Black3.9%
Hispanic1.8%
Asian8%
Other5.9%
Education (25+)
20%
70%
No HS diploma1.9%
HS diploma8.1%
Some college20%
Bachelor's+70%
Housing tenure
67.1%
32.9%
Owner67.1%
Renter32.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Rochester, MI has changed in 5 years

Income
$100,021 → $111,750
up 11.7%
Population
13,048 → 12,934
down 0.9%
Renter share
32.4% → 32.9%
+0.5 pts
Bachelor's+
65.3% → 70%
+4.7 pts
Median age
39.4 → 41.2
+1.8 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Rochester, MI now reports about $111,750, up from $100,021 in 2021. College-educated residents now make up 70% of adults here, versus 65.3% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Rochester

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View Rochester rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Rochester on your salary?

At $1,855/mo, how Rochester rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Rochester rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Rochester. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Rochester

About renting in Rochester, MI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Rochester is $1,855/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,193/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,447/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,134/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,298/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($111,750/yr), Rochester ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 21.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Rochester an affordable city for renters?

Rochester is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,855/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($111,750/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Rochester falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Rochester?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $74,000/year (~$36/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,855/mo in Rochester. The local median household income is $111,750/yr, meaning the typical Rochester household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Rochester?

Rent in Rochester has increased 21.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Rochester rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Rochester is one of the pricier cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #23 out of 96 tracked cities at $1,855/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Rochester?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Rochester ($1,855/mo): Shelby Township ($1,555/mo), Auburn Hills ($1,804/mo), Rochester Hills ($1,812/mo).

What percentage of Rochester residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.9% of Rochester households are renters, while 67.1% are owner-occupied. Rochester leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Rochester rent compare to the national average?

Rochester's median rent of $1,855/mo is $107 (5%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #23 out of 96 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,855/mo, rent takes ~20% of Rochester's median household income ($111,750/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Rochester 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
Run the Rochester affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Rochester, MI

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