Rochester MN vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
26,509
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Rochester
3.6%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 82.9% | 51.8% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 4.8% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Tampa
$49,513
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | $71,302 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | $49,513 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $65,328 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.7% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | 15.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | 44.6% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $376,530 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | 50.2% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 324 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
36.4%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.5% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 17.4% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 15.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.7% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.6% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 46.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
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 324 in Tampa. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rochester, MNLos Angeles, CA vs Rochester, MNChicago, IL vs Rochester, MNHouston, TX vs Rochester, MNPhoenix, AZ vs Rochester, MNPhiladelphia, PA vs Rochester, MN