Rochester NY vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
209,720
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Rochester
41.5%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.6 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 6.6% | Rochester + |
| White | 41.5% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 37.5% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 5.1% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,527 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 45.4% | St. Louis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Louis, 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%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
St. Louis
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.9% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.8% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Louis, MO | 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
Rochester +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Louis, 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
Rochester +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.0 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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