Rochester MN vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
26,509
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Rochester
3.6%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 82.9% | 58.2% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.1% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | $54,546 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | $31,152 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.4% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | 30.2% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | 51.7% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.5% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 18.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 15.7% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.5% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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