At $1,820/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,820 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Rochester changed -0.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 14 New Hampshire cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.2%.
Rent has fallen 2 months in a row, and rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($80,836) is $2,021 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,810); a 3-bedroom is $2,310.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Rochester. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Rochester, NH is majority owner-occupied, 27.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Rochester, NH has changed in 5 years
On the earnings side, the typical household in Rochester, NH now reports about $80,836, up from $70,582 in 2021. The population has grown by 2.6% since 2021, moving from about 32,317 residents to roughly 33,144. College-educated residents now make up 27.1% of adults here, versus 24.4% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Rochester on your salary?
At $1,820/mo, how Rochester rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Rochester rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Rochester. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Rochester
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Rochester is $1,820/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,340/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,810/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,430/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,310/mo.
At 27% of local median household income ($80,836/yr), Rochester ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Rochester?
Is rent going up or down in Rochester?
How does Rochester rent compare to other cities in New Hampshire?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Rochester?
At $1,820/mo, rent takes ~27% of Rochester's median household income ($80,836/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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