Rochester MN vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
26,509
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Rochester
3.6%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 82.9% | 54.0% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 2.0% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | $51,468 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | $28,819 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $63,758 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.4% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | 24.0% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | 28.6% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | 48.9% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 442 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2339 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 36.8% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.0% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 20.4% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 20.4% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.2% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.1% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 36.4 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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