Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Provo
78.6%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Provo
1.1%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 26,509 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 38.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 7.1% | Provo + |
| White | 78.6% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 1.1% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 3.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Rochester
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 284 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1992 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 36.4% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.2% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 16.0% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 11.4% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 34.0 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 28.3 min | Provo + |
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, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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