Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 209,720 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 8.3% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 39.9% | 37.5% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $46,628 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $30,451 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 7.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 26.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 29.9% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $241,627 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 37.2% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1736 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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