Rochester, NY vs Walnut, 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
Walnut
63.3
#1785 nationally
Walnut leads in median household income ($130,444 vs $42,124). Rochester leads in cost of living index (88 vs 197). Rochester leads in walk score (59 vs 32).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Walnut, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.9 (#953) | 63.3 (#1785) |
| Population | 211,328 | 27,104 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,152 | $1,188,533 |
| Median Household Income | $42,124 | $130,444 |
| Average Commute | 21.2 min | 35.1 min |
| Walk Score | 59 | 32 |
| Crime Level | High | 3.5 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+19.1 | D+32.9 |
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 →
D
63.3 Score
Walnut, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,188,533
Population
27,104
Crime
Low
Walk Score
32
Pacific
View Walnut, CA →