Dublin vs Rochester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dublin
Rochester
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 10.6%, with Rochester being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dublin has equivalent purchasing power to $67,788 in Rochester.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dublin has the same purchasing power as $67,788 in Rochester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $82,979 in Dublin.
Living in Dublin vs Rochester
Housing Costs
Dublin's housing index of 128 is higher Rochester's 95, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $345,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Dublin compared to $1,275/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $850.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Dublin and 103 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Dublin vs $489/month in Rochester. Dublin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 110 in Dublin and 102 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Dublin vs $408 in Rochester. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 82 in Dublin and 104 in Rochester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,000 in Dublin and $91,500 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,846 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 $1,307/month to housing in Dublin vs $2,135/month in Rochester. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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