Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Portland +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Portland
70.1%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 26,509 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 38.7 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 5.8% | 3.6% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 5.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 3.9% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 50.3% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Rochester
7.1%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 36.4% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.2% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 7.1% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 28.3 min | Portland + |
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 355 in Portland. 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, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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