Denton 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)
Denton, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$354,100
- 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
Denton
1,299,553
Denton +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denton
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Denton
33.4
Denton +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Denton
23.4%
Denton +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Denton
41.9%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Denton
23.7%
Denton +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Denton
3.7%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Denton
41.9%
Denton +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Denton
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 26,509 | Denton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.7 | Denton + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 7.1% | Denton + |
| White | 41.9% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 23.7% | 3.6% | Denton + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 3.9% | Denton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denton
$67,760
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Denton
$44,138
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denton
$63,758
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Denton
4.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Denton
17.2%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denton
37.4%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Denton, 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
Denton
$354,100
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Denton
42.4%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $354,100 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
442
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
2339
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Denton, 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
Denton
35.5%
Denton +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
9.5%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denton
19.4%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denton
14.9%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denton
18.3%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denton
11.2%
Denton +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 36.4% | Denton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.4% | Denton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
64.8°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
38.1 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denton
9.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denton
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Denton, 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
Denton
28.3 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Tie
| Metric | Denton, 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 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 442 in Denton. 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, Denton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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