Rochester NY vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Springfield
33.6
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Rochester
41.5%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 169,432 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.6 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 3.8% | Rochester + |
| White | 41.5% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 37.5% | 4.3% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 1.7% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 5.6% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Rochester +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Springfield
$30,864
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $45,984 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $30,864 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,527 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Springfield
42.9%
Springfield +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $245,279 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 42.9% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 501 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2418 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 17.1% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 56.3°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 45.6 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $46,628, 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 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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