Rochester, NH vs Ruston, LA
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
#1036 nationally
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Rochester leads in crime level (2.1 vs 11.7). Rochester leads in median household income ($74,882 vs $32,877). Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 27.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Rochester, NH | Ruston, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71 (#1036) | 72.3 (#911) |
| Population | 33,519 | 22,233 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $413,235 | $229,937 |
| Median Household Income | $74,882 | $32,877 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 13.9 min |
| Walk Score | 23 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 2.1 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+12.1 | R+25.4 |
C-
71 Score
Rochester, NH
Small New Hampshire city with local appeal
Median Home
$413,235
Population
33,519
Crime
Low
Walk Score
23
Northeast
View Rochester, NH →
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →