Rochester, MN
Why You’ll Love Living in Rochester, Minnesota
With its thriving job market, inviting climate, abundant outdoor activities and family-friendly events, Rochester, Minnesota, stands out among the crowd as an excellent place to live in the Midwest. Home to the renowned Mayo Clinic, new residents often find plenty of opportunities in industries such as health care, research and other medical-related fields. You’ll also find a strong commitment to education with the presence of the University of Minnesota Rochester and several other top-ranked public and private schools. Moreover, the city calendar is filled with a slew of family-friendly events, like the Rochesterfest celebration and the Rochester Farmers Market.
Thinking of moving to Rochester, MN? Keep scrolling to find all the details about living in Rochester, including quick facts such as the population, median home value and property taxes. Plus, learn more about the cost of living and quality of life in Rochester, from the economy and job opportunities to weather, outdoor activities and things to do, including local restaurants and points of interest.
What Makes Rochester, MN, a Best Place to Live in 2024
Medicine and education are the hallmarks of Rochester, MN. After all, the city is the home of the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, the University of Rochester and the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine. Given those assets, it’s easy to understand why this city of 123,000 residents attracts highly educated people who come for career opportunities and stay to raise their families. That academic focus means public schools are also top-notch, which is another draw for young and growing families.
Those factors, plus an all-around high quality of life, are why Rochester is one of the best places to live in the U.S. Residents grasp the value of a healthy lifestyle and embrace the elements in the colder months to enjoy hockey, ice skating, cross-country skiing and ice-fishing. When it warms up, there’s swimming, hiking, biking and water sports at more than 100 parks.
The community has a love of all things artistic, too, with galleries, museums, theaters and the 200,000-square-foot Mayo Civic Center with a roster of sporting, musical and social events. Foodies can choose everything from fine dining to food trucks to all kinds of options in between. Since 1985, the Rochester Farmers Market has been providing freshly grown food to residents from a 50-mile radius of the city.
Affordability also comes to mind when talking about Rochester. With an average home value of $304,713, residents can choose between luxury homes, more modest two-story dwellings, condos and attractive apartments.
Rochester, MN Quality of Life LivScore
Rochester, MN Top Categories
Housing & Cost of Living
Health
Education
Rochester ranks highest for housing, health and education.
Weather and Outdoor Activities in Rochester, MN
Rochester enjoys relatively long (May through September), warm summers and very cold, snowy winters. Summer temperatures in Rochester average daily highs above 70°F, with average highs of 81°F in the hottest month of July. Winter high temperatures are typically below 35°F, but lows can certainly reach below 0°F.
The average annual snowfall in Rochester is 48 inches, and the heaviest snowfalls occur in January and February.
The average annual rainfall in Rochester is around 34 inches, with the wettest months being June, July and August.
Rochester averages 197 sunny days a year.
Rochester offers year-round outdoor activities. In the winter, rent snowshoes or cross-country skis and hit the trails at the Quarry Hill Nature Center. Ice fishing and curling are also popular pastimes. In warmer months, try biking or inline skating along the 85 miles of interconnected trails throughout the city.
Things To Do in Rochester, MN
Rochester hosts several free outdoor concert series with a variety of local live music, like The Riverside Concert Series and forWARD Neighborhood Park Concerts.
The kids will love learning through play at Spark (The Children’s Museum of Rochester). This interactive space offers hands-on activities for kids to explore and expand their imaginations.
Rochester is extremely pet-friendly. In fact, Rochester loves dogs so much that it hosts an annual event dedicated to its four-legged residents and visitors. The Dogs Downtown event, held in the fall, features Pupstagram-worthy crafts, games, activities and giveaways.
Spend hours perusing the shelves at Garden Party Books, a used bookstore whose owners run Gray Duck Theater & Coffeehouse next door. Kill two birds with one stone and stop in for a great cup of joe.
Bleu Duck Kitchen, a popular, award-winning Rochester restaurant, offers a Tuesday night date special: two entrees, a bottle of wine and a dessert to share for $65. Looking to get your hands dirty? For something a little more interactive, they also offer fun cooking classes!
The Mayo Civic Center is a multipurpose venue that hosts major events like concerts and live performances throughout the calendar year. Another good choice is Rochester Civic Theatre, a community-based organization that regularly puts on plays and musicals.
The craft brew scene is gaining steam in Rochester. Check out the taprooms of one (or more!) of these five local craft breweries: Little Thistle Brewing, Forager Brewery, Kinney Creek Brewery, LTS Brewing Company and Thesis Beer Project.
The Local and State Economy in Rochester, MN
Rochester’s diverse economy is strong and built around health care, technology and manufacturing. The largest employer in the city is Mayo Clinic, which employs more than 40,000 people.
In 2024, the sales tax rate in Rochester is 8.13%.
Yes, Minnesota has a state income tax.
Unsurprisingly, the Mayo Clinic is the top provider to Rochester residents. The organization is a world-renowned medical institution and has been ranked No. 1 overall in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital Rankings for several years running.
There are several colleges and universities in Rochester, including the University of Minnesota at Rochester and Rochester Community and Technical College.
Weather in Rochester, MN
Average Temperatures
55 High / 34 Low
Average Annual Rainfall
34 Inches
Average Annual Snowfall
48 Inches
Quick Facts about Rochester, Minnesota
- Median Home Value
- $283,187
- Median Property Tax
- $3,325
- Total Population
- 123,114
- Average Commute
- 15 min
- Median Household Income
- $92,329
- Median Rent per Month
- $1,029
Map of Rochester, MN
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