Olathe KS 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)
Olathe, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$437,785
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
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
Olathe
143,720
Olathe +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Olathe
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Olathe
36.6
Olathe +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Olathe
10.7%
Olathe +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Olathe
78.6%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Olathe
4.9%
Olathe +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Olathe
4.2%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Olathe
12.6%
Olathe +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Olathe
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 26,509 | Olathe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.7 | Olathe + |
| Foreign Born | 10.7% | 7.1% | Olathe + |
| White | 78.6% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 4.9% | 3.6% | Olathe + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 12.6% | 3.9% | Olathe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Olathe
$112,232
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Olathe
$48,655
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Olathe
$61,860
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Olathe
2.8%
Olathe +
Rochester
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Olathe
5.6%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Olathe
49.4%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,232 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,655 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 3.2% | Olathe + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.4% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Olathe
$437,785
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Olathe
73.7%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $437,785 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.7% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Olathe
449
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Olathe
2174
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Olathe
32.8%
Olathe +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Olathe
9.5%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Olathe
14.4%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Olathe
8.1%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Olathe
17.8%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Olathe
11.3%
Olathe +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 36.4% | Olathe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.4% | Olathe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Olathe
55.2°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Olathe
40.0 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Olathe
8.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Olathe
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Olathe
22.4 min
Olathe +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 28.3 min | Olathe + |
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 449 in Olathe. Olathe has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Olathe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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