Rochester NY vs San Jose 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
209,720
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.1 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 41.5% | 29.0% | Rochester + |
| Black | 37.5% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
San Jose
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $1,452,609 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 61.5°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 30.4 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 503 in San Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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