($1,479) Movers From Columbus, GA to Rochester, NY

What to know before moving from Columbus to Rochester

Moving from Columbus to Rochester comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Rochester is generally more expensive than Columbus, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Rochester are 14% higher than in Columbus, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Columbus.
  Home prices in Rochester are 27.1% higher than in Columbus.
• Income in Rochester is 27.1% higher than in Columbus, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Rochester include Wegmans Food Markets, Paychex, and Bausch + Lomb.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Rochester, since the cost of living for a single person in Rochester is 11.4% higher than in Columbus. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Rochester, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Rochester is 28.4% higher than in Columbus.
• The unemployment rate in Rochester is 84.91% higher than in Columbus.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Rochester, since the city’s sales taxes in Rochester are 11.11% lower than in Columbus.
• State income taxes in Rochester are 98.54% higher than in Columbus.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,342.48 in Rochester to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbus.

How life is different in Columbus vs. Rochester

• Rochester and Columbus have roughly the same population, which could make adjusting to your new life in New York easier.
• Rochester offers better access to buses and trains than Columbus, based on public transportation ratings. Rochester has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 2 in Columbus. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Rochester means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Columbus. Rochester is considered more walkable than Columbus, with a score of 61 out of 100 versus 25 out of 100 in Columbus. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Rochester is considered more bike-friendly than Columbus in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Rochester has a bike-friendliness score of 60 out of 100, while Columbus is rated as 31 out of 100.
• Rochester has a lower crime rate than Columbus based on scores of 37.54 and Columbus's 72.18, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Rochester than in Columbus, based on Rochester’s safety index of 36.66 versus 27.82 for Columbus. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Rochester and Columbus is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Columbus vs. Rochester move

• Weather: The cold weather and snow might be a challenge if you're planning to relocate to Rochester, NY during January and February. August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Rochester.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a New York moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: New York does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Rochester. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Rochester

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Flour City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Rochester.

Helpful moving resources