Rochester NY vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
209,720
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.6 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 41.5% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 37.5% | 5.0% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 3.1% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $324,946 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.7% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 69.8°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.9 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, 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 Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rochester, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Rochester, NYChicago, IL vs Rochester, NYHouston, TX vs Rochester, NYPhoenix, AZ vs Rochester, NYPhiladelphia, PA vs Rochester, NY