Rochester NY vs Sioux Falls SD — 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%
Sioux Falls, SD
South Dakota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$333,043
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
209,720
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
Rochester
41.5%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 41.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 37.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,795 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $333,043 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Sioux Falls
405
Sioux Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Sioux Falls
1873
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 405 | Sioux Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1873 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Sioux Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Sioux Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Sioux Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Sioux Falls
13.9%
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 36.9% | Sioux Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 10.5% | Sioux Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.9% | Sioux Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.8% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 13.9% | Sioux Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Sioux Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 45.0°F | Sioux Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 27.7 in | Sioux Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Sioux Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Sioux Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sioux Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.9%.
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