Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Gresham +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Gresham +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Gresham +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 26,509 | Gresham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.7 | Gresham + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 7.1% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 4.4% | 3.6% | Gresham + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.2% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 3.9% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 36.4% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | 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.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 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 355 in Gresham. 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, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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