Rochester MN vs West Valley City UT — 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%
West Valley City, UT
Utah · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$473,364
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
26,509
West Valley City
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
West Valley City
N/A
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
West Valley City
N/A
White
Rochester
82.9%
West Valley City
N/A
Black
Rochester
3.6%
West Valley City
N/A
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
West Valley City
N/A
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
West Valley City
N/A
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 82.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 3.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
West Valley City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
West Valley City
N/A
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
West Valley City
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $60,713 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
West Valley City
$473,364
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $473,364 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
West Valley City
245
West Valley City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
West Valley City
1931
West Valley City +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 245 | West Valley City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1931 | West Valley City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
36.4%
West Valley City
33.5%
West Valley City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
West Valley City
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
West Valley City
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
West Valley City
19.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
West Valley City
14.4%
West Valley City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
West Valley City
10.8%
West Valley City +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 33.5% | West Valley City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.6% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 19.5% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 19.8% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.4% | West Valley City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.8% | West Valley City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | West Valley City, UT | 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
West Valley City
7.0 µg/m³
West Valley City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
West Valley City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, MN | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | West Valley City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, West Valley City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Rochester. West Valley City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Valley City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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