Davenport IA 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)

Davenport, IA

Iowa · Population: 101,083

  • Median HH Income$64,497
  • Median Home Price$191,117
  • Unemployment4.8%
  • Bachelor's+30.0%

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
Davenport
101,083
Davenport +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Davenport
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Davenport
37.8
Davenport +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Davenport
4.6%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Davenport
75.9%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Davenport
11.2%
Davenport +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Davenport
1.9%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Davenport
9.1%
Davenport +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Davenport
N/A
Rochester
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Davenport
$64,497
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Davenport
$36,583
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Davenport
$61,226
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Davenport
4.8%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Davenport
15.6%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Davenport
30.0%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Davenport
63.0%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
296
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
Rochester
1992

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
42.6%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
11.7%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Davenport
17.8%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Davenport
8.2%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Davenport
21.1%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Davenport
16.2%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
49.3°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
36.0 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Davenport
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
Rochester
28.3 min

Which City is Right for You?

Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Davenport. 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Davenport & Rochester