Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 26,509 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.7 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 7.1% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 6.7% | 3.6% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 5.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 3.9% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.0% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 34.0 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 28.3 min | Fresno + |
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 503 in Fresno. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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