Living in Rochester, Washington
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Rochester · Census data 2020–2024
Rochester has 5,834 residents with a median age of 42.7. The median household income is $99,286 (about the same as the Washington median), the median home value is $445,300, the median rent is $1,161/month.
Rochester at a glance
- Population
- 5,834
- Median age
- 42.7State: 38.3
- Median household income
- $99,286State: $98,141
- Median home value
- $445,300State: $564,600
- Median rent
- $1,161/moState: $1,760
- Homeowners
- 86.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17.5%
- Average commute
- 32 min
Is Rochester a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income about the same as the Washington median; home values 21% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.1%.
Cons: An average commute of 32 minutes; a poverty rate of 16.3%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Rochester
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Rochester the median home value is $445,300, 34% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,161 per month, which is 51% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,204 a month in housing costs.
Rochester median household income
The median household income in Rochester is $99,286 and the income per person is $34,271. 16.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Washington: 9.9%).
Housing in Rochester: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,122
- Owner-occupied
- 86.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 13.6%
- Vacant
- 4.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1994
- Average household size
- 2.88
Rochester demographics
- Population
- 5,834
- Median age
- 42.7
- Under 18
- 21.8%
- 65 and older
- 18.2%
- Households
- 2,022
- Foreign-born
- 8.4%
- Veterans
- 9.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Rochester ›
Education in Rochester
17.5% of adults 25 and older in Rochester have a bachelor's degree or higher (Washington: 39.6%), and 2.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Rochester
- Unemployment rate
- 3.1%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 32 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 7.4%
- Drive alone
- 70.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 98%
Rochester vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | 5,834 | $99,286 | $445,300 | $1,161 |
| Grand Mound | 3,287 | $72,426 | $411,400 | $1,426 |
| Fords Prairie | 1,823 | $55,608 | $368,000 | $1,161 |
| Centralia | 18,830 | $56,219 | $318,200 | $1,084 |
| Oakville | 878 | $63,893 | $230,800 | $1,139 |
| Bucoda | 494 | $73,250 | $270,000 | $1,338 |
| Tenino | 2,025 | $82,639 | $369,000 | $1,400 |
| Chehalis | 7,587 | $73,702 | $372,900 | $1,102 |
| Tumwater | 26,956 | $95,212 | $472,200 | $1,779 |
More for people moving to Rochester
Rochester ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Rochester: FAQ
What is the median household income in Rochester, WA?
The median household income in Rochester is $99,286, about the same as the Washington median of $98,141 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Rochester?
The median home value in Rochester is $445,300, compared with $564,600 in Washington.
How much is rent in Rochester?
The median gross rent in Rochester is $1,161 per month, about 51% of household income.
Is Rochester, WA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income about the same as the Washington median; home values 21% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.1%. Minuses: an average commute of 32 minutes; a poverty rate of 16.3%.
What is the median age in Rochester?
The median age in Rochester is 42.7 years (Washington: 38.3).
How long is the commute in Rochester?
The average commute to work in Rochester is 32 minutes; 7.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Rochester?
The unemployment rate in Rochester is 3.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Rochester?
17.5% of adults in Rochester have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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