Rochester MN vs Torrance 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
26,509
Torrance
95,358
Torrance +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Rochester
3.6%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | 95,358 | Torrance + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 82.9% | 34.8% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Torrance
$118,253
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Torrance
7.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | $118,253 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | $42,884 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | 7.7% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | 26.2% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
Torrance
64.0%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $1,128,110 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | 64.0% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Torrance, 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%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.6% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 44.9 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 Torrance. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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