Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 8.3% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 41.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 20.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $46,628 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $30,451 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 7.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 26.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 37.2% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 38.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.6% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 34.3 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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