2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Rochester, MN vs Palo Alto, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Are people in Palo Alto older or younger than people in Rochester?
- The Median Age in Palo Alto is 5.7 years older than in Rochester.

Are housing costs cheaper in Palo Alto or Rochester?
- Palo Alto housing costs are 964.6% more expensive than Rochester housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Palo Alto or Rochester?
- The average commute for residents of Palo Alto is 8.1 minutes longer than it is for residents of Rochester.

Things to do in Rochester?
Rochester, Minnesota is a vibrant city located in the heart of the Midwest. Home to the renowned Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota-Rochester, this city offers plenty to explore. From its variety of shopping options to its multitude of museums and cultural attractions, visitors can experience something unique. Visitors can also take advantage of the area's parks and trails for a breath of fresh air and connect with nature. Whether you're looking for an educational experience or a leisurely weekend getaway, Rochester has something for everyone!

Things to do in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto, California is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley. Home to Stanford University and various tech giants such as Google, Apple, and Facebook, it has long been known as the epicenter for cutting-edge technology and innovative thinking. Residents here enjoy warm weather year round, excellent public schools, a thriving nightlife scene, plus vast amounts of green space perfect for hiking, biking or horseback riding. There's also no shortage of culture with world class museums and galleries showcasing some of the area’s most celebrated artworks. With its abundant resources and booming economy, Palo Alto truly offers something for everyone!

 Rochester, MNPalo Alto, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock68,624329,725,481
 Median Income$79,159  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock41.838.4
 Avg. Home Price$291,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.5%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time16.15  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Rochester    31 Reviews

Roch (and Minnesota) is a great place IF you live off the govt dole; subsidize undesirable things (through generous welfare benefits, lax law enforcement and sentences,  More

   |    Reply

Rochester is very vanilla. As a progressive, this place is not good. The area leans conservative and you'll see Trump signs everywhere... so that tells you the type of  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

I moved here over 20 years ago from California and I was in shock for the first couple of years that people actually lived in such a cold climate! Winter starts around  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Rochester

Reviews for Palo Alto    8 Reviews

The Bay Area in general, but Palo Alto specifically provides many of the qualities sought by many; the climate is beautiful, there is access to cultural and recreational  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

Very  More

   |    Reply

Over 18 years ago

VTA and SamsTrans and Caltrain all provide good service and most times frequency of service is  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Palo Alto


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.