Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Rochester, MN
VS
Yonkers, NY
🏆 Rochester leads 15 of 22 categories
Rochester
Minnesota
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$83,973 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
41 ✓ Safer
Population
120,848
Yonkers
New York
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,208
Violent Crime Index
82
Population
209,780 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Rochester, MN
Pros
Homes cost $188k less ($268,800 vs $456,500)
51% less violent crime than Yonkers
Rent averages $441/mo less ($1,218 vs $1,659)
Commutes run 18 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (3.7%)
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Yonkers
Cons
Snowy winters — about 52" of snow per year
Yonkers, NY
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 23°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $456,500
Higher rents — median is $1,659/mo
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Rochester
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Rochester
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 93.1 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Rochester
Median Income
$5,765
$83,973 vs $78,208/yr
Rochester
Violent Crime
51% lower
154.0 vs 311.8 per 100k
Rochester
Median Home Value
$188k less
$268,800 vs $456,500
Rochester
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.6% unemployment
Yonkers
Summer Heat
5.3°F warmer
July avg high 85.6°F vs 80.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Yonkers, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.1 ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $268,800 ✓ Lower | $456,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,218 ✓ Lower | $1,659⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $83,973 ✓ Higher | $78,208 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter | 34.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 9.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 50 ✓ Safer | 69 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 41 ✓ Safer | 82 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 65 | 48 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | B (99) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 17.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 49.1% ✓ Higher | 35.5% |
| High School or Higher | 94.3% ✓ Higher | 83.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Rochester Public School District | YONKERS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 22.5°F | 39.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.3°F | 85.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.0" ✓ Drier | 51.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.3" | 32.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 120,848 | 209,780 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 39.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.5% ✓ Higher | 48.3% |
| Under 18 | 23.6% ✓ More | 20.8% |
| Over 65 | 15.7% | 16.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Rochester's cost of living index is 93.1 vs Yonkers's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Rochester is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Rochester leads 15 of 22 categories. Rochester wins 15 and Yonkers wins 7. 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 Rochester to Yonkers or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($268,800 vs $456,500 median home), income ($83,973 vs $78,208), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Rochester, MN and Yonkers, NY are about 969 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.