New Braunfels 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)

New Braunfels, TX

Texas · Population: 267

  • Median HH Income$74,643
  • Median Home Price$352,129
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+1.8%

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
New Braunfels
267
Rochester
26,509
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Braunfels
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
New Braunfels
39.4
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Foreign Born
New Braunfels
8.2%
New Braunfels +
Rochester
7.1%
White
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Rochester
82.9%
Black
New Braunfels
0.0%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
New Braunfels
0.0%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
New Braunfels
15.7%
New Braunfels +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
New Braunfels
N/A
Rochester
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
New Braunfels
$74,643
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
New Braunfels
$21,360
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Braunfels
$63,758
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Rochester
3.2%
Poverty Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Rochester
2.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Braunfels
1.8%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Braunfels
$352,129
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
Rochester
86.6%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
442
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
2339
Rochester
1992
Rochester +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
10.6%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Braunfels
16.0%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
15.2%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
19.1%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
Rochester
11.4%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
34.0 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Tie

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Braunfels
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
Rochester
28.3 min

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 442 in New Braunfels. Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.

Compare More Cities

About New Braunfels & Rochester