Renton WA 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)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
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
Renton
75,721
Renton +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Renton
48.7%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Renton
2.2%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Renton +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 26,509 | Renton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 38.7 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 7.1% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 2.2% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 5.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 3.9% | Renton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Rochester
$127,247
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Rochester
$57,602
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $127,247 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $57,602 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,467 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 50.3% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 36.4% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 9.2% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.4% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 28.3 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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