Rochester NY vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Springfield
33.7
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 154,751 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 41.5% | 40.8% | Rochester + |
| Black | 37.5% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 2.8% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Springfield
$51,339
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Springfield
25.3%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $51,339 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $27,054 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 8.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 25.3% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 19.7% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $298,985 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 39.6% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.8% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 21.1% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.7% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 17.5% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 22.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $51,339, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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