Rochester NY vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rochester
209,720
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.4 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 41.5% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 37.5% | 18.9% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 8.9% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,581 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $427,121 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.0 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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