Phoenix 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 209,720 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 8.3% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 41.5% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 7.8% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.2% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 20.0% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $46,628 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $30,451 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.9% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 26.6% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 29.9% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 37.2% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Phoenix, 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
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Rochester
16.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 38.0% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.8% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.6% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 34.3 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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