Cheyenne WY vs Rochester NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cheyenne
58,754
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 89.9% | 41.5% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Cheyenne +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Cheyenne +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Rochester
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Cheyenne +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $46,628 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $30,451 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $77,425 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 26.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 29.9% | Cheyenne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 37.2% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 434 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 1736 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Cheyenne +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 38.0% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.3% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.8% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.3% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.6% | Cheyenne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 48.2°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 34.3 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Rochester
20.6 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 20.6 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cheyenne leads in median household income at $69,171, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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