Glendale AZ 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)
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
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
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Glendale +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Glendale +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Glendale
72.7%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Glendale +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 26,509 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.7 | Glendale + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 7.1% | Glendale + |
| White | 72.7% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.4% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 5.2% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 3.9% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Glendale +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.4% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.0% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Glendale +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 28.3 min | Glendale + |
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 450 in Glendale. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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