Atlanta GA vs Rochester MN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Atlanta +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 26,509 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.7 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 7.1% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 46.9% | 3.6% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 3.9% | Atlanta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Rochester
$57,602
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $57,602 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 50.3% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1992 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 36.4% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.4% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 28.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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