City Comparison · 2026
Rochester vs Los Angeles
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Rochester = $185k in Los Angeles
Metric
Rochester
Los Angeles
COL Index
✓0.95
1.76
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,150/mo
$2,450/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,450/mo
$3,200/mo
State Income Tax
MN
CA
$100k Take-Home
$72,396
✓$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
27.6%
✓26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$58,596
$43,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Rochester MN | Los Angeles CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $46,628 $3,886/mo · 22.29% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $72,396 $6,033/mo · 27.6% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,055 $8,588/mo · 31.3% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rochester or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Rochester has a cost-of-living index of 0.95 while Los Angeles is 1.76 (1.00 = US average). Rochester is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Rochester is $1,150/month vs $2,450/month in Los Angeles.
How much more do you need to earn in Los Angeles vs Rochester?
$100k in Rochester = $185k in Los Angeles. Cost of living in Los Angeles is higher by 85.3%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Rochester or Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $72,396 in MN (Rochester) and $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $58,596 in Rochester vs $43,798 in Los Angeles.
More City Comparisons
California Salary GuideTexas Salary GuideRochester vs New York City cost of livingRochester vs Los Angeles cost of livingRochester vs Chicago cost of livingCost of living in RochesterCost of living in New York CityCost of living in Los AngelesSoftware Engineer salary in RochesterRegistered Nurse salary in RochesterWhere does $100k rank nationally?