Home project costs in Rochester, NY
Every project we cover, priced for the Rochester metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
Rochester sits 116th of 300 metros on BEA's regional price index, at 97.0 where the US is 100. Goods, the index that drives materials, is 99.7 (67th). The metro has about 494,280 jobs in BLS's May 2025 survey.
Not every job moves the same way here: 27 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 2 below, and 9 are level with it. French drain (+7%), shower pan (+7%) and retaining wall (+6%) sit highest, and storm door (−1%), front door (−1%) and composite deck (level) sit lowest. Labor-heavy work tracks local wages; materials-heavy work tracks the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (Rochester Gtr Intl Ap, 5 miles away) shows a January average low of 19°F, a July average high of 83°F and 35 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are May through October; for exterior installation, they are April through November.
What local trades earn in Rochester
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $19.93 | $23.70 | $30.93 | $22.66 | 1.05 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $24.10 | $28.60 | $35.00 | $29.12 | 0.98 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $25.50 | $31.60 | $44.21 | $28.78 | 1.10 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $26.75 | $35.38 | $43.18 | $30.67 | 1.15 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $24.06 | $29.99 | $35.14 | $27.41 | 1.09 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $27.91 | $37.17 | $46.49 | $30.38 | 1.22 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | $23.96 | $29.67 | $34.63 | $26.77 | 1.11 |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $22.97 | $29.27 | $33.38 | $26.65 | 1.10 |
Concrete & paving in Rochester
Across these 7 projects, Rochester averages +3% against national midpoints. Paver patio is highest at +5% and asphalt driveway lowest at +2%.
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Rochester | 400 sq ft | $2,550 – $5,300 | +3% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Rochester | 600 sq ft | $3,800 – $9,650 | +5% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Rochester | 600 sq ft | $3,100 – $7,600 | +2% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Rochester | 1,000 sq ft | $2,600 – $10,500 | +3% |
| Paver patio cost in Rochester | 300 sq ft | $3,150 – $5,700 | +5% |
| Concrete patio cost in Rochester | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,150 | +3% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Rochester | 400 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,250 | +4% |
Decks & outdoor in Rochester
Across these 2 projects, Rochester averages level against national midpoints. Wood deck is highest at level and composite deck lowest at level.
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Rochester | 300 sq ft | $7,500 – $15,100 | level |
| Composite deck cost in Rochester | 300 sq ft | $12,000 – $24,000 | level |
Building & additions in Rochester
The 2 jobs here average +3% versus the US in Rochester, from +2% (detached garage) to +3% (home addition).
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Rochester | 576 sq ft | $29,600 – $59,400 | +2% |
| Home addition cost in Rochester | 300 sq ft | $39,200 – $79,400 | +3% |
Doors & windows in Rochester
Across these 5 projects, Rochester averages level against national midpoints. Garage door is highest at +1% and storm door lowest at −1%.
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Rochester | 1 door | $710 – $3,700 | +1% |
| Storm door cost in Rochester | 1 door | $350 – $940 | −1% |
| Front door cost in Rochester | 1 door | $500 – $2,500 | −1% |
| Window replacement cost in Rochester | 10 windows | $4,550 – $15,100 | level |
| Patio door cost in Rochester | 1 door | $600 – $6,000 | level |
Fencing in Rochester
Across these 4 projects, Rochester averages level against national midpoints. Chain-link fence is highest at +1% and vinyl fence lowest at level.
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Rochester | 150 linear ft | $3,050 – $7,650 | level |
| Vinyl fence cost in Rochester | 150 linear ft | $4,550 – $9,150 | level |
| Chain-link fence cost in Rochester | 150 linear ft | $1,550 – $6,200 | +1% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Rochester | 150 linear ft | $3,800 – $11,400 | level |
Roofing & exterior in Rochester
Across these 5 projects, Rochester averages +3% against national midpoints. Roof replacement is highest at +5% and vinyl siding lowest at level.
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Rochester | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,500 – $13,100 | +5% |
| Metal roof cost in Rochester | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $10,800 – $33,700 | +4% |
| Gutters cost in Rochester | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,250 | +2% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Rochester | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,400 – $25,200 | level |
| Attic insulation cost in Rochester | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,150 | +4% |
Kitchen & bath in Rochester
The 5 jobs here average +3% versus the US in Rochester, from +1% (kitchen cabinets) to +7% (shower pan).
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Rochester | 25 linear ft | $4,250 – $14,100 | +1% |
| Shower pan cost in Rochester | 1 pan | $1,050 – $2,950 | +7% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Rochester | 120 sq ft | $18,700 – $31,700 | +1% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Rochester | 45 sq ft | $4,900 – $24,300 | +4% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Rochester | 30 sq ft | $310 – $1,550 | +4% |
Landscaping & drainage in Rochester
The 5 jobs here average +5% versus the US in Rochester, from +1% (sod installation) to +7% (French drain).
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Rochester | 60 linear ft | $640 – $2,250 | +7% |
| Retaining wall cost in Rochester | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,600 – $14,100 | +6% |
| Sod installation cost in Rochester | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,300 | +1% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Rochester | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,200 – $10,500 | +5% |
| Inground pool cost in Rochester | 450 sq ft | $38,000 – $118,500 | +5% |
Flooring & interior in Rochester
Across these 3 projects, Rochester averages +2% against national midpoints. Tile flooring is highest at +4% and hardwood flooring lowest at level.
| Project | Size | Rochester range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Rochester | 500 sq ft | $5,500 – $12,500 | level |
| Laminate flooring cost in Rochester | 500 sq ft | $2,050 – $7,150 | +3% |
| Tile flooring cost in Rochester | 200 sq ft | $2,600 – $10,300 | +4% |
Rochester against its nearest metros
Taking every project together, Rochester comes out +2% versus the national midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 2 price higher and 3 lower. Erie is the lowest at roughly level (150 miles) and Buffalo the highest at +4% (60 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, NYthis page | 97.0 | 99.7 | +2% | |
| Buffalo, NY | 60 miles | 95.8 | 99.7 | +4% |
| Syracuse, NY | 70 miles | 95.7 | 99.7 | +3% |
| Binghamton, NY | 105 miles | 92.9 | 99.7 | +4% |
| Utica, NY | 120 miles | 92.7 | 99.7 | +2% |
| Erie, PA | 150 miles | 91.0 | 100.7 | level |
| Scranton, PA | 155 miles | 93.6 | 100.7 | +1% |