Livability Score

92
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A+

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (27) A+
Caribou Coffee
Coffee Shop
Cafe Steam
Coffee Shop
La Dolce Vita
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Gramma Ginna's (In Scheel's)
Coffee Shop
Cafe Steam
Coffee Shop
Caribou Coffee
Coffee Shop
City Market
Coffee Shop
Caribou Coffee
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Barnes & Noble Cafe
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Fiddlehead Coffee
Coffee Shop
Caribou Coffee
Coffee Shop
Moka
Coffee Shop
Moka
Coffee Shop
Caribou Coffee
Coffee Shop
Caribou Coffee
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Caribou Coffee
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Caribou Coffee
Coffee Shop
St. James Coffee
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (34) A+
Plummer House
Museum
Scheels Mini-Bowling (2nd floor)
Bowling Alley
threshold Arts
Art Gallery
Semva
Art Gallery
Spark
Museum
Heritage House
Museum
Rochester Civic Theatre
Theatre Arts
Rochester Art Center
Art Gallery
Mayo Civic Center
Attraction
Taylor Arena
Stadium
Gray Duck Theater
Theatre Arts
County Fair Midway
Theme Park
Animal Exhibit
Attraction
Mayo Field
Stadium
Friendship Inn
Attraction
Charles E. Gagnon Museum & Sculpture Garden
Museum
4-H Building
Attraction
JM Rockets Stadium
Stadium
Graham Arena
Stadium
Colonial Lanes
Bowling Alley
History Center of Olmsted County
Museum
Mayo Spartans Stadium
Stadium
History Center of Olmsted County
Museum
Cascade Environmental Science Center
Museum
UCR Regional Stadium
Stadium
Food and Drink (108) A+
KFC
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Arby's
Fast Food
Cousin's Subs
Fast Food
Potbelly
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
HuHot Mongolian Grill
Fast Food
Brother's
Bar
The Tap House
Bar
Quiznos
Fast Food
Kathy's Pub
Bar
Cinnabon
Fast Food
Big Brad's
Bar
Firehouse Subs
Fast Food
Subway
Fast Food
Jimmy John's
Fast Food
Snappy Stop
Fast Food
Salute! Wine Bar
Bar
La Vetta
Bar
Fair Foods - Mini Donuts
Fast Food
Qdoba
Fast Food
Apollo Liquor
Alcohol
Charleys Philly Steaks
Fast Food
Papa Murphy's
Fast Food
China Experience
Fast Food
Fitness (9) F
Pure Barre
Gym
Orangetheory Fitness
Gym
Burn Boot Camp
Gym
Planet Fitness
Gym
125 Live
Community Centre
ETS Performance
Gym
Northgate Health Club
Gym
Farrell's eXtreme Bodyshaping
Gym
Groceries (18) F
People's Food Co-op
Grocery Store
Fresh Thyme
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee
Grocery Store
ALDI
Grocery Store
Natural Grocers
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee
Grocery Store
Trader Joe's
Grocery Store
Great Harvest Bread Co.
Bakery
Cub Foods
Grocery Store
The Nutrition Shop
Grocery Store
Silver Lake Foods
Grocery Store
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
ALDI
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee
Grocery Store
Parks (362) A+
Plummer House
Park
Splash Park
Playground
Soldiers Field Memorial Park
Park
Water Slides
Playground
Outdoor Fitness
Park
Little Sluggers Practice Area
Park
United Way Park
Park
Four Square Park
Park
Roy Sutherland Playground
Playground
Riverside Picnic Area
Park
Feith Family Statuary Park
Park
Annenberg Plaza
Park
Hazama Gateway Plaza
Park
Peace Plaza
Park
Kutzky Park
Park
Zumbro South Park
Park
Baihly Heights Tot Lot
Park
Zumbro West Park
Park
Central Park
Park
Baihly Meadows Park
Park
Mayo Park
Park
Cook Park
Park
Olmsted County Fairgrounds
Park
Younge Park
Park
Zumbro South Gardens
Park
Shops (310) A+
Sunny Market
Convenience Store
Fiksdal Flowers
Florist
Sinclair Dino Mart
Convenience Store
Holiday
Convenience Store
Wedding Day Diamonds
Fashion
Chapter Aesthetic Studio
Beauty
Scheels
Department Store
Med Central and Transport
Furniture
Men's Wearhouse
Clothing
MJ's Sport Barbershop
Hairdresser
claire's
Fashion
JCPenney Salon
Hairdresser
H&M
Clothing
Daily Thread
Clothing
Hollister
Clothing
Soldiers Field Plaza
Mall
Nutrition Shack
Nutrition Supplements
Sneaker City
Shoes
Zumiez
Clothing
Kay Jewelers
Fashion
Tradehome Shoes
Shoes
Sephora
Beauty
JCPenney
Department Store
American Eagle Outfitters
Clothing
Lululemon
Clothing
See more Rochester amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 5.8% take public transportation in Rochester.
Public Transit Stops (224)
Stops & Stations
A+
2nd St SW & 9th Ave SW
Bus Stop
2nd St SW & 9th Ave SW
Bus Stop
2nd St SW & 9th Ave SW
Bus Stop
W Frontage Rd SW & Skyline Dr SW
Bus Stop
2nd St SW & 7th Ave SW
Bus Stop
11th Ave SW & 1st Ave SW
Bus Stop
2nd St SW @ Saint Marys Hospital
Bus Stop
St Marys at Canadian Honker
Bus Stop
2nd St SW @ Saint Marys Hospital
Bus Stop
2nd St SW & 7th Ave SW
Bus Stop
Along 2nd St SW and west of 4th Ave SW
Bus Stop
2nd St SW & 16th Ave SW
Bus Stop
Med City Movers
Bus Stop
1st St SW & 16th Ave SW
Bus Stop
16th Ave SW @ 1st St SW
Bus Stop
Downtown Transit Center Station H
Bus Stop
Downtown Transit Center Station F
Bus Stop
Downtown Transit Center Station G
Bus Stop
Downtown Transit Center Station E
Bus Stop
Downtown Transit Center Station D
Bus Stop
S Broadway & 1st Ave SE
Bus Stop
S Broadway & 9th St SE
Bus Stop
Downtown Transit Center Station C
Bus Stop
Apache Mall/JC Penney
Bus Stop
Downtown Transit Center Station A
Bus Stop
Workers Taking Public Transit
5.8%
B
See more Rochester commute data

cost of living A-

The cost of living in Rochester is 104/100 - which is 5% higher than Minnesota.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc.
B-
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax
F
See more Rochester cost of living data

crime B

Rochester crime rates are 2,096 per 100k, which is 7% lower than Minnesota
Property Crime
1,873 crimes per 100k
C-
Violent Crime
223 crimes per 100k
B+
See more Rochester crime data

employment A+

The median income in Rochester is $76,034 - which is 20% higher than Minnesota.
Med. Household Income
$76,034
B
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
B+
See more Rochester employment data

health A+

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (70)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc.
A+
Mayo Clinic Saint Marys Campus
Hospital
Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital
Hospital
Apple Tree Dental
Dentist
The Dental Doctors
Dentist
Baldwin Building
Doctor
Rochester Fire Department Station 1
Fire Station
Essence Skin Clinic
Doctor
Mayo Clinic
Clinic
Aspen Dental
Dentist
Hy-Vee Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Med City Dental
Dentist
Mayo Clinic Hospital Methodist Campus
Hospital
Adapta Folwell Flats
Hospital
Rochester Police Department
Police
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Olmsted Medical Center Southeast
Hospital
Olmsted County Sheriff's Office
Police
Olmsted Medical Center
Hospital
Collins Orthodontics
Dentist
Olmsted Medical Center - Greenview
Clinic
Hy-Vee Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Law Enforcement
Police
Sheriff
Police
Hanger Clinic
Clinic
Air Quality
Median Air Quality
A+
See more Rochester health & safety data

housing A+

Rochester home prices are $219,400 - which is 15% higher than Minnesota
Home Price
$219,400
A-
Home Appreciation Rate
24%
A+
Home Affordability
2.9x (home price to income ratio)
A-
See more Rochester housing data

schools A-

The Rochester graduation rate is 91% - which is 2% higher than Minnesota
School Test Scores
51%
D-
High School Grad. Rates
91%
A-
Elementary Schools (45) A+
Early Childhood Year Round
Folwell Elementary
Friedell Middle
Riverside Central Elementary
Rochester Math And Science Academy
Prairiecare
St John The Evangelist/St Pius X School
Washington Elementary
Primrose School Of Rochester
Lincoln K-8 Choice Elementary
Ambassador Academy
Middle School Right Fit
Ec @ Msb
Care & Treatment Hospital/Homebound
St Francis Of Assisi Elementary School
Rochester Phoenix Academy
Imagine Technical Academy
Sunset Terrace Elementary
Jefferson Elementary
Montessori At Franklin
Franklin Elementary
Rochester Alternative Learning Ctr
Bamber Valley Elementary
Alc Summer Credit Recovery
Care & Treatment Jdc/Von Wald
High Schools (22) A+
Project Search Mayo Clinic
Lourdes High School
Hawthorne Diploma Program
Rochester Stem Academy
Rochester Academy-Idp Living(Rail)
Prairiecare
John Marshall Senior High
Care & Treatment Hospital/Homebound
Rochester Phoenix Academy
Mayo Senior High
Rochester Alternative Learning Ctr
Alc Summer Credit Recovery
Care & Treatment Jdc/Von Wald
Rosa Parks Charter High School
Credit Recovery
Rochester Alc Recovery Program
Leap - Launching Emerging Adults Pr
Victory Christian Academy
Rochester Pentecostal School
Century Senior High
See more Rochester education data

ratings D+

Rochester has an overall rating of 57% from 21 reviews.
User Reviews (2)
From AreaVibes
D-
User Surveys (19)
From AreaVibes
B
See more Rochester user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings
Photo of Rochester, MN
( 21 Ratings )

Living in Rochester, MN

Rochester Area Facts

  • Rochester has a Livability Score of 92/100, which is considered exceptional
  • Rochester crime rates are 7% lower than the Minnesota average
  • Cost of living in Rochester is 5% higher than the Minnesota average
New Real Estate Listings in Rochester Area
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Rochester Reviews

Write a review about Rochester Tell people what you like or don't like about Rochester…
Can't wait to move! 1 rating By Anonymous ( Jan 27, 2019) We moved her for my husband's job 1 year ago based on its ranking as "one of the best cities to live in". Rochester has been a HUGE let down from everything ranging from healthcare to general "feel" and life style. It is entirely ran by Mayo, which values out-of country patients ...Read More that are willing to "donate" millions of dollars IN EXCHANGE for top-tier care. Rochester citizens are colder than the weather, rude, extremely conservative; which I found shocking, largely unwelcoming of other ethnicities, and most of all; BORING. There's no energy in this town, no sense of HONEST community, no empathy, no efforts from Government or Mayo to genuinely care for its employees and residents. There's no pride in any of it's outdoor recreational facilities, no initiative to make the town beautiful or appealing for people looking for nature. We are looking forward to leave as soon as we can sell our house. Read Less
Rochester, MN - More than Just the Mayo Clinic 4 rating By Anonymous ( Jul 22, 2010) I have visited Rochester, MN on several occasions to visit the Mayo Clinic. There are many other attractions in Rochester other than some of the worlds best medical facilities. The city is surrounded by gorgeous landscapes including hills, trees, forest, farm lands and historical ...Read More buildings. There are some lovely parks within Rochester, as well. Most importantly to many visitors is that the city of Rochester has some of the nicest, friendliest and welcoming residents of any city I have ever visited.

Two of the attractions that I have enjoyed in Rochester, MN are Assisi Heights and the Plummer House. The Plummer House is a historic mansion with elegant gardens and wonderful architecture that sits on a hill above the town of Rochester. Another especially interesting and beautiful site is Assisi Heights which is the historic home and current home of the Sisters of St. Francis. Tours are offered daily at two in the afternoon. I have so sincerely enjoyed every visit I have made to Rochester. It is such a nice, clean, beautiful mid-western city. Read Less
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Rochester Awards

Compare Rochester, MN Livability

      vs

      Rochester, MN

      Rochester, Minnesota, is the third-largest city in Minnesota and is frequently rated as one of the best places to live in America. With a population of around 150,000, it has many of the cultural advantages of big-city living coupled with the comfort and charm of hometown America. Rochester is famous for its culture of caring, its extensive parks systems, and its spirit of innovation.

      Known worldwide as the home of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester's nickname is "Med City." The Mayo Clinic employs around 50,000 people and is Rochester's major industry. Every year, more than 2 million people from every state, and more than 150 countries, are treated at the Mayo Clinic. All the doctors receive a fixed salary, giving rise to a citywide feeling of fairness and equality.

      Because of the Mayo Clinic's commitment to cutting-edge research, many talented young medical professionals are attracted to Rochester. IBM also has a large facility in Rochester making it a hub for technological innovation as well.

      Nature lovers love Rochester! There are over 100 parks and 100 miles of paved biking and hiking trails. Whether you are interested in a leisurely lunch-break stroll or a challenging all-day hike, there is something in Rochester for you. Visit the Quarry Hill Nature Center, Sekapp Orchard and Pumpkin Patch, or Silver Lake Park for a relaxing brush with nature. However, remember that winters in Rochester are snowy and cold, so come prepared.

      Rochester has a strong agricultural tradition. Visit their year-round farmers market every Thursday, tour one of their many pick-your-own farms and orchards, or enjoy a good meal at a farm-to-table restaurant.

      A large variety of public art abounds in Rochester. The Mayo Clinic has long been committed to displaying works from world-famous artists as well as giving those just starting out a chance to be seen and appreciated. The Rochester Art Center offers a contemporary and innovative art experience.

      Rochester has an interesting history. Take a tour of the Mayowood Mansion, the History Center of Olmsted County, the Mayo Clinic, the Assisi Heights Spiritual Center, the Rochester Trolley Company, or the Historic Chateau Theatre House for a fascinating step back in time.

      Rochester has an excellent public transportation system. Because so many people fly in for treatment at the Mayo Clinic, all forms of public transit are readily available and affordable. Eco-friendly forms of transportation such as biking, park-and-ride and carpooling are strongly encouraged.

      Relocating to Rochester, Minnesota, is cost-effective. All major indicators for cost-of-living (housing, health care, transportation, groceries and utilities) are slightly below the national average. The quality-of-life indexes are well above the national average. If you love nature, crave a healthy living style, like a city with big city conveniences and a small-town feel, and want to be at the center of medical and technological advances Rochester is the city for you.

      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Rochester? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Plummer House
      Splash Park
      Soldiers Field Memorial Park
      Water Slides
      Outdoor Fitness
      Little Sluggers Practice Area
      United Way Park
      Four Square Park

      Entertainment

      Plummer House
      Scheels Mini-Bowling (2nd floor)
      threshold Arts
      Semva
      Spark
      Heritage House
      Rochester Civic Theatre
      Rochester Art Center

      Food & Drink

      KFC
      McDonald's
      Arby's
      Cousin's Subs
      Potbelly
      McDonald's
      HuHot Mongolian Grill
      Brother's

      A- Commute

      Is public transit available in Rochester? Of all people who commute, 5.8% take public transportation in Rochester.
      Drive to Work
      69%

      8% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      6%

      1% higher than the US average

      Walk to Work
      4%

      2% higher than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is Rochester a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital
      Mayo Clinic Hospital Methodist Campus
      Olmsted Medical Center Southeast
      Mayo Clinic Saint Marys Campus
      Olmsted Medical Center Hospital
      Olmsted Medical Center
      Olmsted Medical Center - Northwest Clinic
      Mayo Family Clinic Northeast

      Pharmacies

      CVS Pharmacy
      Hy-Vee Pharmacy
      Hy-Vee Pharmacy
      Hy-Vee Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      Walgreens
      Hunt Drug
      Hy-Vee Pharmacy

      Doctors

      Mayo Family Clinic Northwest
      Essence Skin Clinic
      Baldwin Building
      Mayo Family Clinic Northeast
      Olmsted Medical Center
      Olmsted Medical Center Hospital and 24-Hour ED