Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
9% cheaper
Rochester is 9% more affordable than Dallas. A $75,000 salary in Dallas is equivalent to $68,447 in Rochester.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Dallas has a housing index of 104 while Rochester sits at 73 (national average = 100). The median home in Dallas costs $310,000 compared to $155,000 in Rochester, a difference of $155,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Dallas versus $1,000 in Rochester.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Dallas scores 97 while Rochester scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Dallas (100) match Rochester (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Dallas is $54,747 compared to $39,728 in Rochester. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Rochester.
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