Garland TX 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Garland
37.5%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 26,509 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.7 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 7.1% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 15.3% | 3.6% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 5.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 3.9% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $344,633 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 36.4% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 28.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. 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, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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