Question 1

Is Rochester a nice place to live?

Accepted Answer

Rochester is a country service town on the Campaspe River that acts as a hub for surrounding irrigated farms and broadacre cropping country. Life there is practical and low-key, with a main street of shops and everyday services, community sporting clubs and riverfront reserves used for fishing and picnics. Housing ranges from modest single-storey weatherboard and brick homes in the centre to larger semi-rural blocks on the outskirts, and regional centres such as Echuca and Shepparton are within easy reach.

The community is relatively settled, with a population of 3,154, a median age of 53 and about four in five homes owner-occupied. Recent and planned local projects cover flood-response infrastructure, an identified ambulance branch and community works including the Rochester Community House and the Market Reserve Project, alongside local health services. That mix tends to suit families, local farmers and people who prefer a quieter regional pace; whether it fits you will depend on what you want from a town.

Question 2

Is it expensive to live in Rochester?

Accepted Answer

On the figures, buying a house in Rochester works out to about eight times a typical local household's annual income at the last Census (median house price $445,000; household income $1,073 a week). Renting a house at about $450 a week would take roughly 42% of that weekly household income, which is a large share. That means buying sits well above what people locally earned at the last Census, and renting would also consume a sizeable portion of a typical household's income; whether that feels expensive depends on your own income and circumstances.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

Question 3

Is Rochester a good place to invest?

Accepted Answer

House values in Rochester climbed 11.2% over the past 12 months, a strong increase in what houses are worth over the year. For someone weighing Rochester up as an investment, that house movement is the figure that relates to capital growth.

There isn’t enough recent data here on rents or unit values to say how rental income or the unit market performed over the year, so the available picture is limited and whether the house value rise suits your plans will depend on your objectives and circumstances.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

	Houses	Units
Median price Past 3 months	$445K	N/A
Change in value Past 12 months	11.3%	N/A
Sold Past 3 months	19	2
Median days on market Past 12 months	176	N/A
Average rent Past 12 months	$450	N/A
Change in rent Past 12 months	N/A	N/A

Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Rochester

Rochester suburb profile

Rochester property market performance

5 year median price trend for houses and units

Rochester demographics

Suburbs near Rochester

How does Rochester compare to nearby suburbs?

Choose the right real estate agents in Rochester

Get a head start and compare top local agents in Rochester

Not quite ready to sell?

Suburb and property report

Digital estimate for your property

Navigate the market