Rochester NY vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 186,419 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 41.5% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 37.5% | 7.8% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Tempe
41.6%
Tempe +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $468,328 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 41.6% | Tempe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 450 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2150 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 71.3°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.2 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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