City Comparison

Rochester vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Rochester

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

Stockholm

Sweden
97
Average
$445,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$50,000
Median Income

The Verdict

3.1%

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

Housing
95
Rochester
118
Stockholm
Groceries
103
Rochester
92
Stockholm
Utilities
102
Rochester
88
Stockholm
Transportation
102
Rochester
108
Stockholm
Healthcare
104
Rochester
82
Stockholm

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

Rochester is 3.1% more affordable overall with an index of 94 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Rochester has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,394 in Stockholm, based on the cost of living difference.
Rochester's housing index is 95 with median homes at $345,000, while Stockholm's is 118 with median homes at $445,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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