Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Boca Raton +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Boca Raton +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 26,509 | Boca Raton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 38.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 7.1% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 5.7% | 3.6% | Boca Raton + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 3.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Rochester
$57,602
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $57,602 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 50.3% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1992 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Rochester
14.3%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 36.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 14.3% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.4% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | 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.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 28.3 min | Boca Raton + |
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 324 in Boca Raton. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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