Rochester vs College Station: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Rochester, MN and College Station, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Rochester, MN | College Station, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,848 | 120,451 |
| Median household income | $83,973 | $52,397 |
| Median home value | $268,800 | $305,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,218 | $1,129 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Rochester, MN and College Station, TX comes down to what you value most. Rochester has the lower median home value, and College Station has the lower median rent.
Rochester has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or College Station?
- By median home value, Rochester is the cheaper of the two ($268,800 vs $305,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Rochester or College Station?
- Median household income is $83,973 in Rochester versus $52,397 in College Station, per the US Census Bureau.