Rochester MN vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
26,509
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Rochester
3.6%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 82.9% | 61.8% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Seattle
$121,984
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | $121,984 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | 9.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $871,599 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | 44.3% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 383 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 3409 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
36.4%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 15.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 37.5 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 28.8 min | Rochester + |
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, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Seattle. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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