Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 26,509 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 38.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 7.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 28.8% | 3.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 3.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Rochester
$57,602
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $57,602 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1992 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 36.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 28.3 min | Rochester + |
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 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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