Rochester MN vs Stockton CA — 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
26,509
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Rochester
3.6%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 82.9% | 26.6% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | $76,851 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | $31,279 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 8.0% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | 15.4% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | 19.1% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $431,297 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | 53.2% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 503 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2388 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
36.4%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.5% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 18.1% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 15.0% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.8% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 33.2 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 503 in Stockton. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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