Minneapolis MN 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)
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
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
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Rochester
5.2%
Tie
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 26,509 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.7 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 18.3% | 3.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 5.2% | Tie |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 3.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Rochester
$69,467
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,467 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 50.3% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $344,633 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Rochester
284
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Rochester
1992
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 284 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1992 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 36.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 34.0 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 28.3 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Minneapolis. 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, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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