Rochester MN vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
26,509
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Rochester
3.6%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 82.9% | 49.1% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Stamford
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | $107,474 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | 9.5% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $708,498 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | 47.5% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
36.4%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Stamford
14.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 14.4% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 12.3% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.4% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 53.2 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 30.1 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, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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