Rochester MN vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
26,509
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Rochester
3.6%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 41.6 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 6.8% | Rochester + |
| White | 82.9% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 2.6% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | $93,371 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | $39,604 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | 7.8% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | 31.0% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
Surprise
79.0%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $422,520 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | 79.0% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 450 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2150 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
36.4%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.5% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 32.8 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 450 in Surprise. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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