Rochester vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Rochester
Stockholm
The Verdict
Living in Rochester costs 3.1% less than Stockholm. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Rochester, you would need $77,394 in Stockholm.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Rochester has the same purchasing power as $77,394 in Stockholm.
Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $72,680 in Rochester.
Living in Rochester vs Stockholm
Housing Costs
Rochester's housing index of 95 is lower Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $345,000 vs $445,000. The $100,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,504 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,275/mo in Rochester compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Rochester and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Rochester vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Rochester and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Rochester vs $352 in Stockholm. 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 104 in Rochester and 82 in Stockholm. 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 $91,500 in Rochester and $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $97,340 and $51,546 respectively. Rochester residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,135/month to housing in Rochester vs $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/mo fits within this budget. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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