Rochester MN vs Saint Paul MN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
26,509
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Rochester
3.6%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 82.9% | 53.2% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 9.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Saint Paul
$69,467
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | $73,055 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | $41,594 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,467 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | 15.8% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | 43.5% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | 53.2% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
Saint Paul
284
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
Saint Paul
1992
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 284 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1992 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
36.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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