($1,209) Movers From Ann Arbor, MI to Rochester, NY

What to know before moving from Ann Arbor to Rochester

Moving from Ann Arbor to Rochester comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Rochester is generally more expensive than Ann Arbor, 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 45% lower than in Ann Arbor, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Rochester.
  Home prices in Rochester are 57.8% lower than in Ann Arbor.
• Income in Rochester is 4.1% lower than in Ann Arbor, so you could earn less 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 4.5% higher than in Ann Arbor. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Rochester is 7.9% lower than in Ann Arbor.
• The unemployment rate in Rochester is 180.00% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Rochester, since the city’s sales taxes in Rochester are 33.33% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• State income taxes in Rochester are 156.47% higher than in Ann Arbor.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,135.11 in Rochester to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Ann Arbor.

How life is different in Ann Arbor vs. Rochester

• The population of Rochester is about 71% greater than Ann Arbor, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Getting around Rochester without a car might be more difficult than in Ann Arbor. Rochester has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Ann Arbor is ranked 7. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Living in Rochester means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Ann Arbor. Rochester is considered more walkable than Ann Arbor, with a score of 61 out of 100 versus 52 out of 100 in Ann Arbor. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Rochester, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Ann Arbor. While Ann Arbor has a bike-friendliness score of 71 out of 100, Rochester earned a 60. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in Rochester is higher than in Ann Arbor, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 37.54 in Rochester, it is 31.0 in Ann Arbor. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Rochester. With a crime index of 36.66, Rochester ranks lower in overall safety than Ann Arbor, whose index is Ann Arbor's 79.18. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Rochester has better air quality than in Ann Arbor. Rochester has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Ann Arbor. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Ann Arbor 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a New York moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: New York doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Rochester. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Rochester

Ready to relocate to "Flour City"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Rochester.

Helpful moving resources