Home project costs in Rochester, MN
Every project we cover, priced for the Rochester metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
Rochester sits 235th of 300 metros on BEA's regional price index, at 90.8 where the US is 100. Goods, the index that drives materials, is 95.4 (205th). The metro has about 122,980 jobs in BLS's May 2025 survey.
Not every job moves the same way here: 31 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 3 below, and 4 are level with it. Paver patio (+17%), French drain (+17%) and concrete driveway (+16%) sit highest, and front door (−2%), kitchen remodel (−1%) and hardwood flooring (−1%) sit lowest. Labor-heavy work tracks local wages; materials-heavy work tracks the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (Rochester Intl Ap, 8 miles away) shows a January average low of 7°F, a July average high of 80°F and 35 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are May through September; for exterior installation, they are April through October.
What local trades earn in Rochester
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $22.36 | $28.55 | $43.11 | $22.66 | 1.26 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $23.59 | $30.58 | $38.84 | $29.12 | 1.05 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $31.12 | $38.26 | $45.54 | $28.78 | 1.33 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $30.66 | $40.81 | $50.40 | $30.67 | 1.33 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $30.09 | $34.75 | $40.93 | $27.41 | 1.27 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $28.61 | $38.29 | $48.76 | $30.38 | 1.26 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $26.77 | n/a |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $22.82 | $29.78 | $41.27 | $26.65 | 1.12 |
Concrete & paving in Rochester
Across these 7 projects, Rochester averages +12% against national midpoints. Paver patio is highest at +17% and concrete slab lowest at +8%.
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Rochester | 400 sq ft | $2,700 – $5,550 | +8% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Rochester | 600 sq ft | $4,150 – $10,700 | +16% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Rochester | 600 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,500 | +13% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Rochester | 1,000 sq ft | $2,850 – $11,400 | +12% |
| Paver patio cost in Rochester | 300 sq ft | $3,500 – $6,350 | +17% |
| Concrete patio cost in Rochester | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,450 | +10% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Rochester | 400 sq ft | $3,550 – $8,850 | +11% |
Decks & outdoor in Rochester
Across these 2 projects, Rochester averages +3% against national midpoints. Composite deck is highest at +4% and wood deck lowest at +1%.
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Rochester | 300 sq ft | $7,650 – $15,400 | +1% |
| Composite deck cost in Rochester | 300 sq ft | $12,500 – $25,000 | +4% |
Building & additions in Rochester
The 2 jobs here average +6% versus the US in Rochester, from +5% (detached garage) to +7% (home addition).
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Rochester | 576 sq ft | $30,500 – $61,100 | +5% |
| Home addition cost in Rochester | 300 sq ft | $40,600 – $82,200 | +7% |
Doors & windows in Rochester
Across these 5 projects, Rochester averages level against national midpoints. Patio door is highest at +2% and front door lowest at −2%.
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Rochester | 1 door | $710 – $3,650 | level |
| Storm door cost in Rochester | 1 door | $350 – $940 | level |
| Front door cost in Rochester | 1 door | $510 – $2,450 | −2% |
| Window replacement cost in Rochester | 10 windows | $4,550 – $14,900 | level |
| Patio door cost in Rochester | 1 door | $600 – $6,100 | +2% |
Fencing in Rochester
Across these 4 projects, Rochester averages +3% against national midpoints. Chain-link fence is highest at +9% and vinyl fence lowest at level.
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Rochester | 150 linear ft | $3,150 – $7,850 | +3% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Rochester | 150 linear ft | $4,500 – $9,200 | level |
| Chain-link fence cost in Rochester | 150 linear ft | $1,600 – $6,750 | +9% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Rochester | 150 linear ft | $3,950 – $11,700 | +3% |
Roofing & exterior in Rochester
Across these 5 projects, Rochester averages +5% against national midpoints. Roof replacement is highest at +7% and attic insulation lowest at +2%.
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Rochester | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,650 – $13,200 | +7% |
| Metal roof cost in Rochester | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,200 – $34,100 | +6% |
| Gutters cost in Rochester | 160 linear ft | $1,350 – $4,350 | +4% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Rochester | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,750 – $26,200 | +4% |
| Attic insulation cost in Rochester | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,050 | +2% |
Kitchen & bath in Rochester
The 5 jobs here average +6% versus the US in Rochester, from −1% (kitchen remodel) to +14% (shower pan).
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Rochester | 25 linear ft | $4,200 – $14,400 | +2% |
| Shower pan cost in Rochester | 1 pan | $1,150 – $3,100 | +14% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Rochester | 120 sq ft | $18,400 – $31,200 | −1% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Rochester | 45 sq ft | $5,100 – $25,400 | +9% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Rochester | 30 sq ft | $330 – $1,600 | +8% |
Landscaping & drainage in Rochester
The 5 jobs here average +13% versus the US in Rochester, from +6% (sod installation) to +17% (French drain).
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Rochester | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +17% |
| Retaining wall cost in Rochester | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,550 – $15,100 | +15% |
| Sod installation cost in Rochester | 1,500 sq ft | $1,600 – $3,500 | +6% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Rochester | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,550 – $11,400 | +14% |
| Inground pool cost in Rochester | 450 sq ft | $41,700 – $130,000 | +15% |
Flooring & interior in Rochester
Across these 3 projects, Rochester averages +3% against national midpoints. Tile flooring is highest at +8% and hardwood flooring lowest at −1%.
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Rochester | 500 sq ft | $5,500 – $12,400 | −1% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Rochester | 500 sq ft | $2,050 – $7,050 | +1% |
| Tile flooring cost in Rochester | 200 sq ft | $2,900 – $10,500 | +8% |
Rochester against its nearest metros
Taking every project together, Rochester comes out +6% versus the national midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 1 prices higher and 5 lower. Dubuque is the lowest at −3% (125 miles) and Minneapolis the highest at +15% (90 miles). These are unweighted averages of the midpoints, a rough guide to overall price level rather than a number for any one job.
| Metro | Distance | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MNthis page | 90.8 | 95.4 | +6% | |
| La Crosse, WI | 65 miles | 91.8 | 93.8 | +2% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 85 miles | 92.8 | 93.8 | +2% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 90 miles | 104.8 | 103.1 | +15% |
| Waterloo, IA | 100 miles | 87.1 | 93.7 | −2% |
| Dubuque, IA | 125 miles | 87.3 | 93.7 | −3% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 135 miles | 89.0 | 93.7 | −2% |