Prior Lake, MN vs Rochester, MN
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Prior Lake
72.4
#898 nationally
Rochester
76
#401 nationally
Rochester leads in walk score (30 vs 14). Prior Lake leads in median household income ($129,539 vs $83,973). Rochester leads in average commute (17.1 min vs 25.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Prior Lake, MN | Rochester, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.4 (#898) | 76 (#401) |
| Population | 28,027 | 122,413 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $534,270 | $347,877 |
| Median Household Income | $129,539 | $83,973 |
| Average Commute | 25.2 min | 17.1 min |
| Walk Score | 14 | 30 |
| Crime Level | 2.9 | 4.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 120 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+8.5 | D+10.7 |
C-
72.4 Score
Prior Lake, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$534,270
Population
28,027
Crime
Low
Walk Score
14
Midwest
View Prior Lake, MN →
C
76 Score
Rochester, MN
Mid-size Minnesota city with community character
Median Home
$347,877
Population
122,413
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
30
Midwest
View Rochester, MN →
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