Plymouth MN 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)
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
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
Plymouth
79,526
Plymouth +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plymouth
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Plymouth
40.7
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Plymouth
74.8%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Plymouth
5.0%
Plymouth +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Plymouth
4.7%
Plymouth +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Plymouth
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,526 | 26,509 | Plymouth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 38.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 7.1% | Plymouth + |
| White | 74.8% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 5.0% | 3.6% | Plymouth + |
| Asian | 10.1% | 5.2% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 3.9% | Plymouth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Rochester
$127,247
Per Capita Income
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Rochester
$57,602
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plymouth
$69,467
Rochester
$69,467
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Rochester
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Plymouth
4.1%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $133,865 | $127,247 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $69,839 | $57,602 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,467 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.0% | 3.2% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 50.3% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plymouth
$514,358
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Plymouth
74.7%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $514,358 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
284
Rochester
284
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
1992
Rochester
1992
Tie
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 284 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1992 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
Rochester
14.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Rochester
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
18.5%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.1% | 36.4% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 9.2% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 14.3% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 7.1% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 11.4% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | 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.)
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plymouth
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 28.3 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, 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 284 in Plymouth. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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