New York NY 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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 York
8,516,202
New York +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
New York +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Rochester
7.1%
White
New York
35.9%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 26,509 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.7 | New York + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 7.1% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 22.7% | 3.6% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 5.2% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 3.9% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | New York, NY | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,467 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | New York, NY | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | New York, NY | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1992 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
Rochester
11.4%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 36.4% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.4% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | New York, NY | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | 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
New York
44.2 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | New York, NY | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 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 434 in New York. 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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