Studio Apartment Rent in Rochester, MN
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Rochester, Minnesota as of July 2026. That's +41% lower than the citywide median of $1,702 and +22% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Rochester
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Rochester
Compare Rochester's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Minnesota
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winona | $700 |
| 2 | Moorhead | $710 |
| 3 | Austin | $720 |
| 4 | Owatonna | $730 |
| 5 | Bemidji | $800 |
| 6 | Duluth | $848 |
| 7 | Waite Park | $890 |
| 8 | Saint Cloud | $940 |
| 9 | Rochester (this page) | $1,010 |
| 10 | Mankato | $1,030 |
| 11 | Anoka | $1,050 |
| 12 | Northfield | $1,060 |
| 13 | South Saint Paul | $1,060 |
| 14 | Saint Michael | $1,080 |
| 15 | Columbia Heights | $1,090 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Minnesota
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodbury | $1,650 |
| 2 | Maple Grove | $1,600 |
| 3 | Eden Prairie | $1,570 |
| 4 | Lakeville | $1,550 |
| 5 | Cottage Grove | $1,540 |
| 6 | Edina | $1,520 |
| 7 | Blaine | $1,510 |
| 8 | Plymouth | $1,495 |
| 9 | Brooklyn Park | $1,495 |
| 10 | Savage | $1,470 |
| 11 | Rosemount | $1,470 |
| 12 | Minnetonka | $1,450 |
| 13 | Robbinsdale | $1,427 |
| 14 | Saint Louis Park | $1,385 |
| 15 | Vadnais Heights | $1,380 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Rochester.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Rochester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, MN | 43.7 mi | $720 | $-290 (-29%) |
| Owatonna, MN | 53 mi | $730 | $-280 (-28%) |
| Winona, MN | 57.3 mi | $700 | $-310 (-31%) |
| River Falls, WI | 57.7 mi | $1,060 | +$50 (+5%) |
| Northfield, MN | 58.4 mi | $1,060 | +$50 (+5%) |
| Cottage Grove, MN | 63.9 mi | $1,540 | +$530 (+52%) |
| Rosemount, MN | 64.5 mi | $1,470 | +$460 (+46%) |
| Menomonie, WI | 67.5 mi | $709 | $-301 (-30%) |
| Hudson, WI | 68 mi | $1,250 | +$240 (+24%) |
| Woodbury, MN | 68.2 mi | $1,650 | +$640 (+63%) |
| Inver Grove Heights, MN | 69.2 mi | $1,230 | +$220 (+22%) |
| Lakeville, MN | 70.9 mi | $1,550 | +$540 (+53%) |
Studio rent in Rochester — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Rochester?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Rochester, Minnesota is $1,010 per month. This is +41% below the citywide median of $1,702.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Rochester?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $40,400 ($3,367/month gross), which works out to roughly $19.42/hour at a full-time job.
Is Rochester expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Rochester's studio median of $1,010 is +22% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 28th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Rochester rank for studio rent in Minnesota?
Among the 63 cities in Minnesota with studio data, Rochester ranks #9 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Rochester?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Austin ($720), Owatonna ($730), Winona ($700).