City Comparison

Frisco vs Rochester

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Frisco

Texas
115
Above Average
$500,000
Median Home
$1,900/mo
Median Rent
$126,048
Median Income

Rochester

Minnesota
94
Below Average
$345,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$91,500
Median Income

The Verdict

22.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 22.3%, with Rochester being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Frisco has equivalent purchasing power to $61,304 in Rochester.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
142
Frisco
95
Rochester
Groceries
99
Frisco
103
Rochester
Utilities
99
Frisco
102
Rochester
Transportation
106
Frisco
102
Rochester
Healthcare
100
Frisco
104
Rochester

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Frisco has the same purchasing power as $61,304 in Rochester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $91,755 in Frisco.

Living in Frisco vs Rochester

Housing Costs

Frisco's housing index of 142 is higher Rochester's 95, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $345,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in Frisco compared to $1,275/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Frisco and 103 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Frisco 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 99 in Frisco and 102 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Frisco vs $408 in Rochester. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Frisco 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 $126,048 in Frisco and $91,500 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $109,607 and $97,340 respectively. Frisco residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,941/month to housing in Frisco vs $2,135/month in Rochester. In Frisco, median rent of $1,900/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 Housing, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rochester is 22.3% more affordable overall with an index of 94 vs 115.
A $75,000 salary in Frisco has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,304 in Rochester, based on the cost of living difference.
Frisco's housing index is 142 with median homes at $500,000, while Rochester's is 95 with median homes at $345,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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