Rochester NY vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Rochester
41.5%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 199,696 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 8.0% | Rochester + |
| White | 41.5% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 37.5% | 35.7% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 8.6% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 23.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Tallahassee
39.5%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $293,664 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 39.5% | Tallahassee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.2% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 67.6°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 58.1 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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