Duluth MN 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)
Duluth, MN
Minnesota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$292,800
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
7.1%
White
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
82.9%
Black
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 26,509 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 82.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 3.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 3.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
$127,247
Per Capita Income
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
$57,602
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Duluth
$69,467
Rochester
$69,467
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
2.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $127,247 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $57,602 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,467 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 2.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 50.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Duluth
$292,800
Duluth +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
86.6%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $292,800 | $344,633 | Duluth + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 86.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
284
Rochester
284
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
1992
Rochester
1992
Tie
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 284 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1992 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
35.1%
Duluth +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
10.0%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Duluth
17.7%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Duluth
7.3%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Duluth
20.1%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Duluth
15.1%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 36.4% | Duluth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.1% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
39.7°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
31.0 in
Duluth +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.0 in | 34.0 in | Duluth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Duluth
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Duluth
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Duluth
N/A
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 28.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Duluth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $292,800. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Duluth. Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Duluth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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