Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Bellevue +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Bellevue +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Bellevue +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 26,509 | Bellevue + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 38.7 | Bellevue + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 7.1% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 2.2% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 5.2% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 3.9% | Bellevue + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Rochester
$127,247
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Rochester
$57,602
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $127,247 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $57,602 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,467 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 50.3% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Rochester
14.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Rochester
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 36.4% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 9.2% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 14.3% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 7.1% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.0% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 11.4% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Bellevue +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 28.3 min | Bellevue + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, 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 383 in Bellevue. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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