2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Madison, WI vs Rochester, MN

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Highlights
Are people in Rochester older or younger than people in Madison?
- The Median Age in Rochester is 4.6 years older than in Madison.

Are housing costs cheaper in Rochester or Madison?
- Rochester housing costs are 13.5% less expensive than Madison housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Rochester or Madison?
- The average commute for residents of Rochester is 3.3 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Madison.

Things to do in Madison?
Madison, Wisconsin is a vibrant city with a unique mix of culture and history. Take a stroll through State Street and explore the city's many art galleries, bookstores and some of the best restaurants in the Midwest. Visit University of Wisconsin-Madison for some stunning architecture and inspiring scientific research, or take in an outdoor concert at Breese Stevens Field. With its beautiful lakeshore backdrop, lively farmers markets, and incredible cultural events,Madison is an ideal place to live and visit!

Things to do in Rochester?
Rochester, Minnesota is a vibrant city located in the heart of the Midwest. Home to the renowned Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota-Rochester, this city offers plenty to explore. From its variety of shopping options to its multitude of museums and cultural attractions, visitors can experience something unique. Visitors can also take advantage of the area's parks and trails for a breath of fresh air and connect with nature. Whether you're looking for an educational experience or a leisurely weekend getaway, Rochester has something for everyone!

 Madison, WIRochester, MNUnited States
 Population  Unlock119,732329,725,481
 Median Income$70,466  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock36.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$337,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time19.43  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Madison    78 Reviews

Unfortunately, a number of these reviews are politically based. Madison remains the only shining star in Wisconsin’s economy. The economy is broadly based, with  More

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Have been living in Madison for almost 3 years. It’s very safe, ppl generally friendly and for a town of its size it has fair number of good restaurants and interesting  More

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Lacks balance and zero accountability.   More

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Reviews for Rochester    31 Reviews

Roch (and Minnesota) is a great place IF you live off the govt dole; subsidize undesirable things (through generous welfare benefits, lax law enforcement and sentences,  More

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Rochester is very vanilla. As a progressive, this place is not good. The area leans conservative and you'll see Trump signs everywhere... so that tells you the type of  More

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Over 5 years ago

I moved here over 20 years ago from California and I was in shock for the first couple of years that people actually lived in such a cold climate! Winter starts around  More

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