What are the schools like in Rochester, MI?

Rochester is served primarily by Rochester Community School District. The district operates 13 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 8 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 19.3:1.

What is the median household income in Rochester?

The median household income in Rochester, MI is $102,838 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 4.0%.

What is the weather like in Rochester, MI?

Rochester has an average high temperature of 31.3°F in January and 82.3°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 34.0 inches and annual snowfall averages 36.0 inches.

Rochester, MI Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Rochester, MI affordable or expensive?

Rochester's cost of living index is 98, where 100 represents the national average. This means Rochester is 2% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $447,800 and the median rent is $1,158 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Rochester, MI?

Rochester has a violent crime rate of 23.6 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 377.8 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Rochester, MI a Good Place to Live?

Rochester is a small city of 12,978 in Michigan, with a median household income of $102,838 and a 4.0% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 98 (US average = 100), which is 2% below the national average.

Strengths: Rochester stands out for lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A-), a well-educated population.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include high home prices. Whether Rochester is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Rochester city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 98.0

Rochester's overall cost of living index is 98.0, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Rochester costs roughly 2% less than the average American city.

Metric	Rochester, MI	National Avg
Median Home Value	$447,800	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,158	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	65.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$102,838	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Rochester's violent crime rate is 23.6 per 100,000 residents — 94% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

23.6 /100k

Property Crime

377.8 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Rochester is served primarily by Rochester Community School District. The student-to-teacher ratio is 19.3:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Rochester, MI	National Avg
School District	Rochester Community School District	—
Elementary Schools	13	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	8	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	19.3:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	67.6%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	98.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Rochester sees average highs of 31.3°F in January and 82.3°F in July, with 34.0 inches of annual precipitation and 36.0 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Rochester, MI
Average High — January	31.3°F
Average High — July	82.3°F
Annual Precipitation	34.0"
Annual Snowfall	36.0"

Demographics

Metric	Rochester, MI	National Avg
Population	12,978	—
Median Age	40.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	4.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	26.4 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	84.2%	59.3%
Black or African American	2.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	3.2%	18.9%
Asian	7.5%	6.3%
Under 18	22.3%	22.2%
65 and over	14.2%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Rochester Hills, MI 3 mi Utica, MI 6 mi Auburn Hills, MI 6 mi Troy, MI 7 mi Sterling Heights, MI 9 mi

Rochester vs Other Cities

Rochester, MI vs Rochester Hills, MI Rochester, MI vs Utica, MI Rochester, MI vs Auburn Hills, MI Rochester, MI vs Troy, MI Rochester, MI vs Sterling Heights, MI

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rochester, MI affordable or expensive?

Rochester's cost of living index is 98, where 100 is the national average. That makes Rochester roughly 2% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $447,800 and median rent is $1,158/month.

What is the crime rate in Rochester, MI?

Rochester's violent crime rate is 23.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 377.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Rochester?

Public schools in Rochester are operated by Rochester Community School District. The district has 13 elementary, several middle, and 8 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 19.3:1. 67.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Rochester, MI a good place to live?

Rochester, MI has a population of 12,978, a median household income of $102,838, and an unemployment rate of 4.0%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Rochester?

Rochester averages 31.3°F in January and 82.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 34.0 inches with about 36.0 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Rochester?

The population of Rochester, Michigan is 12,978 with a median age of 40.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Rochester?

Key numbers for living in Rochester: cost of living index 98 (100 = US average), median home $447,800, median household income $102,838, crime index 11 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Rochester side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.