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City Report · PA

Rochester

Pop. 3,422·159th most expensive in Pennsylvania·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$944/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-6.0%
vs US Median
-$1,021
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Rochester · $944
More affordable than 99% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
26% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $944/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$38,000/yr
Local median income
$43,080/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
$800
1 BR
$860
2 BR
$1,030
3 BR
$1,310
4 BR+
$1,420
Research median
$1,030/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$11,328/yr
At $944/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -6.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Rochester, PA is majority renter-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 17% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
3,422
Median income
$43,080
Median age
42.1
Renters
56.7%
Age distribution
14.7%
24.8%
28.1%
14.3%
18.1%
Under 1814.7%
18–3424.8%
35–5428.1%
55–6414.3%
65+18.1%
Gender
43.4%
56.6%
Male43.4%
Female56.6%
Race & ethnicity
82.8%
White82.8%
Black11%
Hispanic0.6%
Asian0.9%
Other4.6%
Education (25+)
47%
26.9%
17%
No HS diploma9.1%
HS diploma47%
Some college26.9%
Bachelor's+17%
Housing tenure
43.3%
56.7%
Owner43.3%
Renter56.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Rochester, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$35,088 → $43,080
up 22.8%
Population
3,488 → 3,422
down 1.9%
Renter share
54.4% → 56.7%
+2.3 pts
Bachelor's+
13.8% → 17%
+3.2 pts
Median age
36.3 → 42.1
+5.8 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Rochester, PA now reports about $43,080, up from $35,088 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 3,488 to 3,422 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.9% change. About 56.7% of households rent today, against 54.4% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 13.8% to 17%.

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 $944/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, PA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Rochester is $944/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $800/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,030/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $860/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,310/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($43,080/yr), Rochester ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Rochester an affordable city for renters?

Rochester is considered affordable for renters. At $944/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($43,080/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 $38,000/year (~$18/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $944/mo in Rochester. The local median household income is $43,080/yr, meaning the typical Rochester household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Rochester?

Rent in Rochester has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Rochester rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Rochester is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #159 out of 167 tracked cities at $944/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Rochester?

Ambridge is nearby and more affordable at $872/mo, which is $72 less than Rochester.

What percentage of Rochester residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 56.7% of Rochester households are renters, while 43.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Rochester has a strong rental market.

How does Rochester rent compare to the national average?

Rochester's median rent of $944/mo is $1,021 (52%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #159 out of 167 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $944/mo, rent takes ~26% of Rochester's median household income ($43,080/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Rochester 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Rochester affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Rochester
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Rochester, PA

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