Rochester

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Rochester, MN

Area Guide

The third largest city in Minnesota boasts nature-loving and medical amenities.

Nature Suburban Family-Friendly Convenient

Rochester, Minnesota centers around healthcare innovation and community living. Home to the Mayo Clinic, the city combines medical excellence with authentic Midwestern hospitality. The downtown area features an extensive network of climate-controlled skyways and subterranean walkways connecting buildings, allowing comfortable navigation throughout the year. Current rental trends show steady growth, with average one-bedroom apartments commanding $1,399 per month, reflecting a modest 1.5% annual increase. Notable areas include the Historic Southwest district, with its architectural charm, and the Heart of the City neighborhood, where residential developments sit near downtown amenities.

Rochester's park system encompasses more than 100 sites across five square miles, including paths along Bear Creek and the Zumbro River. The city maintains 85 miles of paved trails for recreation, while Quarry Hill Nature Center offers 329 acres of natural space within city limits. Downtown features the restored Chateau Theatre and Rochester Art Center, while the summer brings Thursdays Downtown, a weekly festival celebrating local food vendors, artists, and musicians. The Mayo Clinic's international reach has helped create a diverse community, adding to Rochester's welcoming atmosphere.

Explore the City

Rochester's Silver Lake park offers boat and bike rentals.

Rochester is home to many craftsman inspired homes.

Olmstead County Fair is a yearly fair in Rochester, Minnesota.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Rochester, MN is $1,240 for a studio, $1,420 for one bedroom, $1,672 for two bedrooms, and $1,949 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Rochester has increased by 2.2% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,420/month
704 Sq Ft
House
$2,103/month
1,775 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,692/month
1,391 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Rochester, MN

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Rochester, MN is 2.4% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Rochester is 2.1% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,240 - $1,949. You can expect to pay 2.4% more for groceries, 2.5% more for utilities, and 2.3% more for transportation.

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Transportation

51

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

64

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

George W. Gibbs Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

730 Students

Lincoln K-8 District-Wide School

Public

Grades K-8

469 Students

Washington Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

332 Students

Folwell Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

315 Students

Bamber Valley Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

633 Students

Mayo Senior High

Public

Grades 8-12

1,862 Students

Century Senior High

Public

Grades 8-12

1,698 Students

Lincoln K-8 District-Wide School

Public

Grades K-8

469 Students

John Marshall Senior High

Public

Grades 8-12

1,573 Students

John Adams Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

731 Students

Mayo Senior High

Public

Grades 8-12

1,862 Students

Century Senior High

Public

Grades 8-12

1,698 Students

John Marshall Senior High

Public

Grades 8-12

1,573 Students

Rochester Phoenix Academy

Public

Grades K-12

67 Students

Special Education Esy

Public

Grades PK-12

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Quarry Hill Nature Center

Airports

  • Rochester International

Top Apartments in Rochester

Houses for Rent in Rochester

Property Management Companies in Rochester, MN

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.