Rochester MN vs San Marcos TX — 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%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
26,509
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Rochester
3.6%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 5.8% | Rochester + |
| White | 82.9% | 66.6% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.4% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
San Marcos
3.2%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | $64,146 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | $33,835 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $63,758 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.2% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | 11.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | 24.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
San Marcos
63.3%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | 63.3% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
Rochester +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Rochester, MN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 442 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2339 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
36.4%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 22.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 19.7% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.7% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Rochester, MN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 35.7 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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