Rochester NY vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 192,696 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 41.5% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 37.5% | 3.1% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 17.2% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Vancouver
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $510,577 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Vancouver
16.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.1% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 52.1°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 41.6 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.1 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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