Rochester, NY vs Shafter, CA
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.
Rochester
71.9
#953 nationally
Shafter
70.7
#1077 nationally
Shafter leads in median household income ($66,418 vs $42,124). Rochester leads in walk score (59 vs 45). Rochester leads in cost of living index (88 vs 112).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Shafter, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.9 (#953) | 70.7 (#1077) |
| Population | 211,328 | 21,915 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,152 | $387,324 |
| Median Household Income | $42,124 | $66,418 |
| Average Commute | 21.2 min | 22 min |
| Walk Score | 59 | 45 |
| Crime Level | High | 7.6 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+19.1 | R+21.1 |
C-
71.9 Score
Rochester, NY
Flour City innovation hub
Median Home
$249,152
Population
211,328
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Northeast
View Rochester, NY →
C-
70.7 Score
Shafter, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$387,324
Population
21,915
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
45
Pacific
View Shafter, CA →