Rochester, NH

New Hampshire · Metropolitan Area

Rochester is a mid-size city in New Hampshire with a population of 32,866. Residents earn $79,388 per year, which is 6% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
32,866 Population 730/sq mi density
$79,388 Median Income $40,144 per capita
$262,600 Home Value $388,515 Zillow
$1,220 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
387 Violent Crime/100K 4,185 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$79,388 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$262,600 home value, $1,220/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
387 violent crimes/100K (2% above avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $79,388
6% higher than US avg
Home Value $262,600
7% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 387/100K
2% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.7%
21% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,220
5% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.6%
8% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.6%
55% lower than US avg

How Rochester Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population32,866
Median Age43.4 yrs
Density730/mi²
Male / Female51% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A+
Median Income$79,388
Per Capita$40,144
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty5.6%
County GDP$13,650M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$262,600
Rent$1,220
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$388,515

Crime

F
Violent387/100K
Property4,185/100K
Murder3.4/100K
Assault235/100K
Burglary434/100K

Health

Obesity34.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.6%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain41.2 in/yr
Elevation226 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.7%
High School+93.4%
School Score6.29

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 54%
Commute27 min
EV Stations6
Libraries30

Is Rochester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rochester receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Rochester offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rochester is $79,388, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. Only 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rochester is $262,600, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,220 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 387 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,185 per 100,000, 114% above the national average.

Education

26.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.3/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Rochester experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Rochester has a population of 32,866 with a density of 730 people per square mile. The median age is 43.4 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.8%).

Population

32,866
Total Population
730
People / sq mi
43.4yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
45.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.5%
Female 49.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Rochester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.3%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.7%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rochester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rochester is $79,388, which is 6% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Rochester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$79,388
6% above US avg
Per Capita Income$40,144
Avg Weekly Wage$1,189
IRS Avg AGI$80,535

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.6%
55% below US avg
Establishments (County)8,870
County GDP$13,650M

Business (County)

Restaurants801
Healthcare597
Retail823
Manufacturing256

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,071
73% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.31%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.0 min
Work from Home12.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Rochester is $262,600, 7% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,220 (5% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $388,515.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$262,600
7% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$388,515
Median List Price$489,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$489,000
$/Sq Ft$223
Homes Sold13
Sale-to-List Ratio101.9%
Price Drops7.1%
Inventory70

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,220
5% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,022

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,322
1 Bedroom$1,422
2 Bedrooms$1,851
3 Bedrooms$2,386
4 Bedrooms$2,650

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,071
73% above US avg
Effective Rate2.31%
In Rochester, 34.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.6% report depression. 20.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Rochester vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.6%
8% above US avg
Diabetes8.2%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure30.2%
Asthma11.2%
COPD6.2%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.3%
Physical Inactivity20.9%
Depression27.6%
Mental Distress19.1%
Physical Distress11.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.9%
Checkup Rate75.3%
Premature Death7,331/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access74.8%
Healthcare Facilities597
Rochester has a violent crime rate of 387 per 100,000 residents, 2% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,185 per 100,000 (114% above US avg). The murder rate is 3.4 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Rochester vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent386.6/100K
2% above US avg
Murder3.4/100K
47% below US avg
Rape47.1/100K
Robbery100.9/100K
Assault235.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,185.4/100K
114% above US avg
Burglary433.7/100K
Theft3,674.4/100K
Vehicle Theft77.3/100K
Arson23.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Rochester has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.7°F
12% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.2 inches
8% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation226 ft (69 m)
Area45.0 sq mi (116.6 km²)
Population Density730/sq mi
Coordinates43.2985°N, 70.9770°W
County FIPS23031
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 26.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (21% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 10.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 43.8%
D 54.3%

Winner: Democrat by 10.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.7%
21% below US avg
High School+93.4%
School Test Score6.29
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density730/sq mi
Total Area45.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations10
Public Libraries30
Healthcare Facilities597
Restaurants801
Retail Stores823

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.0 min
Work from Home12.1%

Nearby Cities

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