Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 209,720 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 8.3% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 41.5% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.2% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 20.0% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $46,628 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $30,451 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.9% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 26.6% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 29.9% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 37.2% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 38.0% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 14.3% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.8% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 16.6% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 34.3 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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