Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Memphis
25.0%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 26,509 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.7 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.1% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 62.9% | 3.6% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 3.9% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $344,633 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.0% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 28.3 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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