Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Clifton, NJ
VS
Rochester, NY
🏆 Clifton leads 14 of 23 categories
Clifton
New Jersey
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$94,179 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
44 ✓ Safer
Population
89,451
Rochester
New York
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$44,156
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
210,992 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Clifton, NJ
Pros
Households earn $50,023 more per year on average
72% less violent crime than Rochester
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (6.4%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (165.8 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 34.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 39°F vs 33°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $428,000
Higher rents — median is $1,633/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Rochester
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Rochester, NY
Pros
Homes cost $317k less ($111,400 vs $428,000)
Rent averages $638/mo less ($995 vs $1,633)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Clifton
Cons
Median income trails Clifton by $50,023/yr
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3289.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.5% vs 6.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Clifton
Median Income
$50,023
$94,179 vs $44,156/yr
Clifton
Violent Crime
72% lower
165.8 vs 582.3 per 100k
Clifton
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
6.4% vs 8.5% unemployment
Clifton
Summer Heat
4.0°F warmer
July avg high 86.5°F vs 82.5°F
Rochester
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 97.7 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Rochester
Median Home Value
$317k less
$111,400 vs $428,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Clifton, NJ | Rochester, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 97.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $428,000⚠ High | $111,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,633⚠ High | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $94,179 ✓ Higher | $44,156 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.6 min⚠ High | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.1% | 9.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 69 ✓ Safer | 155⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer | 157⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) ✓ Better | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 | 10.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.3% ✓ Higher | 29.4% |
| High School or Higher | 89.1% ✓ Higher | 83.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Clifton Public School District | ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.3°F ✓ Warmer | 33.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.5°F ✓ Warmer | 82.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.6" | 35.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 28.2" ✓ Less | 102.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 89,451 | 210,992 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 32.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% ✓ Higher | 37.3% |
| Under 18 | 19.7% | 21.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 12.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Clifton's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Rochester's 97.7 (US average = 100).
Rochester is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Clifton leads 14 of 23 categories. Clifton wins 14 and Rochester wins 9. 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 Clifton to Rochester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($428,000 vs $111,400 median home), income ($94,179 vs $44,156), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Clifton, NJ and Rochester, NY are about 239 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.