Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 26,509 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.7 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 7.1% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 23.7% | 3.6% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 3.9% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $344,633 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 28.3 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. 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, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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