Renton WA vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Renton
75,721
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Renton
2.2%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 8.3% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 41.5% | Renton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 3.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $46,628 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $30,451 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 7.9% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 26.6% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 29.9% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 37.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Renton +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 434 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 38.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 14.3% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.9% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 16.6% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
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 $241,627. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Renton, WALos Angeles, CA vs Renton, WAChicago, IL vs Renton, WAHouston, TX vs Renton, WAPhoenix, AZ vs Renton, WAPhiladelphia, PA vs Renton, WA