Cheyenne vs Rochester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cheyenne
Rochester
The Verdict
Rochester is 1.1% less expensive than Cheyenne overall. A household earning $75,000 in Cheyenne would need approximately $74,211 in Rochester to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has the same purchasing power as $74,211 in Rochester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $75,798 in Cheyenne.
Living in Cheyenne vs Rochester
Housing Costs
Cheyenne's housing index of 85 is lower Rochester's 95, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $345,000. The $65,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,224 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Cheyenne compared to $1,275/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Cheyenne and 103 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Cheyenne vs $489/month in Rochester. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Cheyenne and 102 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Cheyenne vs $408 in Rochester. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Cheyenne and 104 in Rochester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $57,834 in Cheyenne and $91,500 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,878 and $97,340 respectively. Rochester residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,349/month to housing in Cheyenne vs $2,135/month in Rochester. In Cheyenne, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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