Irving vs Rochester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irving
Rochester
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 6.4%, with Rochester being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to $70,500 in Rochester.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $70,500 in Rochester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $79,787 in Irving.
Living in Irving vs Rochester
Housing Costs
Irving's housing index of 94 is lower Rochester's 95, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $345,000. The $27,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,752 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,275/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 103 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving 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 111 in Irving and 102 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $408 in Rochester. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving 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 $73,400 in Irving and $91,500 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 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 $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $2,135/month in Rochester. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/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 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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