Reno NV 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)
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
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
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Reno
63.5%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Reno
3.2%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 26,509 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 38.7 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 7.1% | Reno + |
| White | 63.5% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.2% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 5.2% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 3.9% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 36.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | 34.0 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 28.3 min | Reno + |
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 460 in Reno. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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