CostIndexUSA

Grand Junction, CO vs Rochester, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Grand Junction
95.5
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableMN
Rochester
90.8
overall index
$1,625/mo rent

Rochester is slightly cheaper than Grand Junction — 4.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Grand Junction, you would need $76,100 in Rochester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing9.0%
Grand Junction
86.4
Rochester
78.6
🛒 Groceries0.7%
Grand Junction
96.1
Rochester
95.4
🚗 Transportation7.6%
Grand Junction
104.8
Rochester
96.8
🏥 Healthcare7.6%
Grand Junction
94.8
Rochester
87.6
Utilities+4.9%
Grand Junction
83.3
Rochester
87.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Grand Junction to see what you'd need to earn in Rochester to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Rochester, MN
$76,100
$3,900 less needed in Rochester

Formula: salary × (90.8 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 0.9508. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Home Price
$418,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.2×

Rochester, MN

Median Home Price
$324,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
78.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6×

Grand Junction has 9.0% lower housing costs compared to Rochester.

Income & Job Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Household Income
$64,700
Per Capita Income
$36,900
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
64,785
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAgricultureRetailGovernment

Rochester, MN

Median Household Income
$85,200
Per Capita Income
$48,600
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
Population
121,395
Top Industries
HealthcareTechnologyEducationManufacturingFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Grand Junction, CO
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% of income left after rent (median)

Rochester, MN
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.