Plano TX 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)
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Plano
53.2%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 26,509 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 38.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 9.0% | 3.6% | Plano + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 5.2% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 3.9% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Rochester
$57,602
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $57,602 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 50.3% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Rochester
14.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 36.4% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 14.3% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.4% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 28.3 min | Plano + |
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 442 in Plano. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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