Peoria AZ 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)
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
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
Peoria
194,338
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
42.1
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Peoria
11.3%
Peoria +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Peoria
3.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Peoria
19.7%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 194,338 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 8.3% | Peoria + |
| White | 72.6% | 41.5% | Peoria + |
| Black | 3.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.2% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$59,120
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
35.5%
Peoria +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,403 | $46,628 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,831 | $30,451 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 7.9% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 26.6% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 29.9% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$488,428
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $488,428 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.5% | 37.2% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
450
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
2150
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 38.0% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.3% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.9% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.3% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
31.2 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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