Rochester MN vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
26,509
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Spokane
81.0%
Black
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 6.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 82.9% | 81.0% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 2.7% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 7.8% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | $65,745 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | $38,200 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.0% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | 14.6% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | 32.6% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $400,636 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | 58.3% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Spokane, 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%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Spokane
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 18.6% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 8.2% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.5% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.7% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
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 Spokane. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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