How much does it cost to rent in Rochester, MN?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Rochester, MN is $1,702. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Rochester cheaper than other Minnesota cities?

Rochester falls in the middle range for Minnesota, ranking #32 out of 67 cities at $1,702/mo.

When was Rochester rent data last updated?

Rochester rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · MN

Rochester

Name: Average Rent Prices in Rochester, MN
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 122,330·32nd most expensive in Minnesota·Rochester rents are up 5.8% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,702/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.8%

Month-over-Month

+0.2%

vs US Median

-$263

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Rochester · $1,702

More affordable than 61% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

52/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Rochester's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent

$1,702/mo

Expected by trend

$1,718/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Rochester's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,010

1 BR

$1,120

2 BR

$1,368

3 BR

$1,918

4 BR+

$2,298

Research median

$1,368/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$20,424/yr

At $1,702/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 5.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.8% YoY, +0.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Rochester, MN is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 50.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

122,330

Median income

$89,389

Median age

36.3

Renters

34.9%

Age distribution

23.3%

24.9%

24.3%

16.3%

Under 1823.3%

18–3424.9%

35–5424.3%

55–6411.2%

65+16.3%

Gender

48.2%

51.8%

Male48.2%

Female51.8%

Race & ethnicity

72.9%

White72.9%

Black9.8%

Hispanic6.6%

Asian7.8%

Other3%

Education (25+)

17.8%

26%

50.9%

No HS diploma5.3%

HS diploma17.8%

Some college26%

Bachelor's+50.9%

Housing tenure

65.1%

34.9%

Owner65.1%

Renter34.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Rochester, MN has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,357 → $1,702

up 25.4%

Income

$79,159 → $89,389

up 12.9%

Population

119,732 → 122,330

up 2.2%

Renter share

34.1% → 34.9%

+0.8 pts

Bachelor's+

48.7% → 50.9%

+2.2 pts

Five years ago, renters in Rochester, MN paid around $1,357 a month. That figure now sits near $1,702, up 25.4% from the 2021 baseline. On the earnings side, the typical household in Rochester, MN now reports about $89,389, up from $79,159 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Rochester, MN adding about 2,598 residents over the five-year window, up 2.2% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 48.7% to 50.9% across the same window. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Rochester, MN reflects that arc in its own way.

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 $1,702/mo, how Rochester rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $98,259/yr · Rent = 20.8% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $69,763/yr · Rent = 29.3% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $80,361/yr · Rent = 25.4% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $143,634/yr · Rent = 14.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $183,529/yr · Rent = 11.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $65,322/yr · Rent = 31.3% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $58,978/yr · Rent = 34.6% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $72,696/yr · Rent = 28.1% income

affordable

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, MN

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Rochester is $1,702/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,010/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,368/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,120/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,918/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($89,389/yr), Rochester ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Rochester an affordable city for renters?

Rochester is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,702/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($89,389/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 $68,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,702/mo in Rochester. The local median household income is $89,389/yr, meaning the typical Rochester household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Rochester?

Rent in Rochester has increased 5.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Rochester neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Rochester are 55906 ($1,546/mo), 55901 ($1,669/mo), and 55904 ($1,706/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Rochester is $1,702/mo.

How does Rochester rent compare to other cities in Minnesota?

Rochester is middle-of-the-pack for Minnesota for rent, ranking #32 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,702/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Rochester?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Rochester ($1,702/mo): Austin ($947/mo), Northfield ($1,640/mo).

What percentage of Rochester residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.9% of Rochester households are renters, while 65.1% 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 $1,702/mo is $263 (13%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Minnesota, it ranks #32 out of 67 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

23%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,702/mo, rent takes ~23% of Rochester's median household income ($89,389/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Rochester 23%Benchmark 30%

State income tax5.35–9.85%

Run the Rochester affordability calculator →

Nearby cities