Rochester NY vs San Antonio 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
209,720
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Rochester
41.5%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.6 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 41.5% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 37.5% | 7.0% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 3.1% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 28.7% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $251,035 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 24.5% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 68.5°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 34.9 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Antonio, 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
20.6 min
Rochester +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 26.5 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rochester, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Rochester, NYChicago, IL vs Rochester, NYHouston, TX vs Rochester, NYPhoenix, AZ vs Rochester, NYPhiladelphia, PA vs Rochester, NY