Oklahoma City OK vs Rochester NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 209,720 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 8.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 58.4% | 41.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 13.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 20.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $46,628 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $30,451 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.9% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 26.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 29.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $241,627 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 37.2% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 434 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.6% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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 38.0%.
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