Rochester NY vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
209,720
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.6 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 41.5% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 37.5% | 21.3% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $376,530 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 73.4°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 46.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 26.8 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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