Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Allen, TX
VS
Rochester, MN
🏆 Allen leads 14 of 22 categories
Allen
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$121,259 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
28 ✓ Safer
Population
105,444
Rochester
Minnesota
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$83,973
Violent Crime Index
41
Population
120,848 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Allen, TX
Pros
Households earn $37,286 more per year on average
31% less violent crime than Rochester
Violent crime is well below the national average (106.4 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 23°F
More college-educated — 55.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $390,200
Higher rents — median is $1,747/mo
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Rochester
Rochester, MN
Pros
Homes cost $121k less ($268,800 vs $390,200)
Rent averages $529/mo less ($1,218 vs $1,747)
Violent crime is well below the national average (154.0 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (3.7%)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Allen
Cons
Median income trails Allen by $37,286/yr
Snowy winters — about 52" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Allen
Median Income
$37,286
$121,259 vs $83,973/yr
Allen
Violent Crime
31% lower
106.4 vs 154.0 per 100k
Allen
Summer Heat
14.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 80.3°F
Rochester
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 93.1 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Rochester
Median Home Value
$121k less
$268,800 vs $390,200
Rochester
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
3.7% vs 4.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Allen, TX | Rochester, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 93.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $390,200⚠ High | $268,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,747⚠ High | $1,218 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $121,259 ✓ Higher | $83,973 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High | 3.7% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.0 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 21.4% ✓ Higher | 10.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 34 ✓ Safer | 50 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 28 ✓ Safer | 41 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 42 ✓ Safer | 65 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (125) ✓ Better | A- (116) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.2:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.2% ✓ Higher | 49.1% |
| High School or Higher | 95.8% ✓ Higher | 94.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ALLEN ISD | Rochester Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.5°F ✓ Warmer | 22.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 80.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" | 37.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.6" ✓ Less | 52.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 105,444 | 120,848 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.8 ✓ Older | 36.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.9% ✓ Higher | 65.5% |
| Under 18 | 25.9% ✓ More | 23.6% |
| Over 65 | 10.4% | 15.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Allen's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Rochester's 93.1 (US average = 100).
Rochester is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Allen leads 14 of 22 categories. Allen wins 14 and Rochester wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Allen to Rochester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($390,200 vs $268,800 median home), income ($121,259 vs $83,973), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Allen, TX and Rochester, MN are about 787 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.