Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Rochester to Houston
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Houston has a higher median household income ($64,813 vs. $47,213) and higher median gross rent ($1,361 vs. $1,081) than Rochester. Houston’s median home value is also substantially higher ($277,800 vs. $139,600). Commute times are longer in Houston (30 minutes) compared to Rochester (21 minutes). Both cities use the same uniform non-housing baseline ($1,250/month) in the calculator. Houston applies a 0.00% simplified state income tax reference in the model, while Rochester’s state tax is excluded due to lack of approved reference. These factors create a trade-off: Houston offers higher income but higher housing costs and longer commutes, while Rochester has lower income, lower housing costs, and shorter commutes. The model does not declare a universal winner, as trade-offs depend on individual priorities.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → RochesterMoving from Rochester to Houston
Median Rent Impact
+$280/mo
Moving to Houston costs ~$3,360 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+9 min / day
Difference of ~75 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTROC → HOU
56/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$9,024after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Rochester is about $3,360 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Rochester household income$47,213
Houston household income$64,813
Rochester gross rent$1,081
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Rochester | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 208,772 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $47,213 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,081 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $139,600 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 21 minutes in Rochester and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- One-way commute time
- State income tax treatment in model
- Uniform non-housing baseline
What each city wins
Rochester
Housing costs align closely with local income levels.. Watch affordability may reflect lower income levels rather than low housing costs alone..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Rochester and Houston?
Houston’s median gross rent is $1,361 per month, which is $280 higher than Rochester’s $1,081. Similarly, Houston’s median home value is $277,800, significantly above Rochester’s $139,600, reflecting higher housing costs in Houston across both rental and ownership markets.
What is the difference in commute times between the two cities?
Rochester has a derived one-way commute estimate of 21 minutes, while Houston’s is 30 minutes—a 9-minute difference. This suggests shorter average commutes in Rochester based on 2024 ACS table B08303 weighted midpoints.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.