Rochester NY vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
209,720
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.3 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 41.5% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 37.5% | 10.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 13.1% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $496,966 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 53.5°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 39.2 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 31.1 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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