Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 26,509 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.7 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 11.7% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 76.8% | 3.6% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 3.9% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $344,633 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1992 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.0% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 34.0 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 28.3 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA