Can A Software Developer Afford Rent in Rochester, MN?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 14.2% of gross income.
Rochester rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Minnesota state estimate).
About rent and a software developer salary
Software developer pay is among the highest of any large occupation, which makes rent affordability comfortable in nearly every US city. The interesting question for developers is not whether they can afford rent, but how much surplus is left after rent in different markets. At the national-average developer salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,453 a month in rent — well above the median rent in even the most expensive US metros. The per-city pages quantify how much paycheck remains after typical local rent at the local developer-pay estimate.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Minnesota cities have lower median rent than Rochester, which improves the affordability math on a software developer salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rochester
View full rent data for Rochester, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a software developer afford rent in Rochester, MN?
Median rent in Rochester is $1,702 a month. A typical software developer in Minnesota earns about $143,634 a year, which makes that rent 14.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a software developer afford in Rochester?
Using the 30% rule, a software developer salary in Minnesota (~$143,634/yr) supports up to $3,591 a month in rent. Rochester's current median rent is $1,702/mo, which leaves a $1,889/mo buffer.
How many hours does a software developer work to cover rent in Rochester?
At an hourly equivalent of about $69 an hour, a software developer in Minnesota works roughly 24.6 hours a month to cover Rochester's median rent of $1,702.
Where is rent cheaper than Rochester for a software developer?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Oakdale ($1,701/mo), Coon Rapids ($1,700/mo), Saint Louis Park ($1,698/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a software developer salary.