Rochester MN vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
26,509
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 82.9% | 70.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 2.7% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | $74,925 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | $49,642 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $60,713 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.8% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | 13.4% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $580,126 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | 46.8% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
36.4%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 18.2% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 12.3% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
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, Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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