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City · 208,772 residents · Monroe County, New York

Rochester , New York

In Rochester, a typical home is worth $139,600 and typical rent is $1,081 a month. Compared with all of Monroe County, typical household income is 38% lower, the typical home value is 35% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 26 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $139,600

    35% below the county

    67% below New York

    • Rochester
    • Monroe
    • New York

  • Typical rent

    $1,081a month

    8% below the county

    33% below New York

    • Rochester
    • Monroe
    • New York

  • Typical household income

    $47,213a year

    38% below the county

    45% below New York

    • Rochester
    • Monroe
    • New York

  • Households that own their home

    38%

    26 points below the county

    16 points below New York

    • Rochester
    • Monroe
    • New York

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$240,168
4.7% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,454 a month
3.5% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Rochester is in Monroe County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Monroe County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Rochester apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. 38% of households in Rochester own their home, against 64% in Monroe County.

  2. Rochester has the 11th lowest typical household income of the 350 cities in New York with more than 5,000 people ($47,213).

  3. The typical home in Rochester is worth $139,600, 35% less than in Monroe County as a whole ($213,700).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Rochester

What homes there are in Rochester, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

No kind of home is the majority in Rochester; the largest group, detached houses, adds up to 44%, less than in Monroe County (62%).

Year built

In Rochester, at least half of the homes were built before 1940, and 72% date from before 1960.

Homes in Rochester are smaller: 46% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Monroe County, 61%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

By price, most homes in Rochester sit under the FHA limit for Monroe County ($541,287): about 96%.

Monthly rent with utilities

HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Monroe County is $1,416; about 73% of rents in Rochester are below it.

With a mortgage

$1,244 a month

Monroe County: $1,676 a month

Without a mortgage

$593 a month

Monroe County: $766 a month

Owners with a mortgage

61%

Monroe County: 62%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Rochester is $1,244 a month, less than in Monroe County ($1,676); without one, $593.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Rochester rose 68% since 2015–2019, more than in Monroe County (44%).

Much as in Monroe County, the typical rent in Rochester rose 28% since 2015–2019.

The typical household income in Rochester rose 33% over that time; home values changed +68% and rent +28%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureRochesterMonroe CountyNew YorkUnited States
Rental vacancy 5.4%5.0%3.8%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy 1.6%0.6%1.1%0.9%
More than one person per room 2.3%1.4%5.3%3.4%
People per household 2.142.282.492.53
Drive alone 63%71%49%69%
Carpool 11%8%6%9%
Public transit 6%2%22%3%
Walk or bike 5%3%6%3%
Work from home 13%16%15%15%
Other means 2%1%2%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutes10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Monroe County, the rental vacancy rate in Rochester is 5.4%.

More than one person per room: that is how 2.3% of households in Rochester live, near the figure in Monroe County (1.4%).

On average, a household in Rochester has 2.14 people, fewer than in Monroe County (2.28).

More people ride a bus or train to work in Rochester than in Monroe County: 6% against 2%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Rochester?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home in Rochester, worth $139,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 33% of the typical household income in Rochester, which is $47,213 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $56,203 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Monroe County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Rochester. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $4,886 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,311

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$137,071
Total interest
$197,214
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,357 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,102 a month

  • Tight

    $1,102 to $1,416 a month

    Your payment · 33%

  • Hard

    more than $1,416 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Rochester ($47,213 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,311
Principal & interest$929
Property tax$263
Home insurance$58
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$62

You need at least $4,886 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Rochester and Monroe County

Rochester is in Monroe County, New York. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Rochester's own numbers

Typical home value
$139,600
Typical monthly rent
$1,081
Typical yearly household income
$47,213
Households that own their home
38%
Effective property tax rate
2.26%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Monroe County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,416
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+69%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Monroe County.

Everything about Monroe County

Buying

Buying a home in Rochester

A typical home in Rochester is worth $139,600: 35% below the county and 67% below New York. With the typical household income in Rochester ($47,213 a year), a typical home costs 3.0 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Rochester 3.0 years
  • Monroe 2.8 years
  • New York 4.9 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Monroe County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Monroe County rose 106% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Monroe County.

Period County New York U.S.
Last year (2025) +6.6% +6.0% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +69% +52% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +106% +86% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Rochester next to Monroe County, New York and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Rochester $139,600
  • Monroe $213,700
  • New York $423,800
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Rochester $1,081
  • Monroe $1,173
  • New York $1,621
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Rochester $47,213
  • Monroe $76,382
  • New York $85,974
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Rochester next to Monroe County and New York
Measure Rochester Monroe County New York U.S.
Typical home value $139,600 $213,700 $423,800 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,081 $1,173 $1,621 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $47,213 $76,382 $85,974 $80,734
Households that own their home 38% 64% 54% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $3,152 $5,616 $6,582 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 2.26% 2.63% 1.55% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 53% 51% 52% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Monroe County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Rochester

For a typical $139,600 home in Rochester, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Rochester's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,311a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $4,886
    Cash to close
    $9,074
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $62

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,286a month

    Down payment
    $6,980
    Cash to close
    $11,168
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $66

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,078a month

    Down payment
    $27,920
    Cash to close
    $32,108
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,207a month

    Down payment
    $20,940
    Cash to close
    $25,128
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Rochester and for Monroe County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Rochester

2.26%of the home’s value each year

$3,152 a year for the typical owner in Rochester.

  • Rochester 2.26%
  • Monroe 2.63%
  • New York 1.55%

What New York publishes Basic STAR school tax relief (New York State Department of Taxation and Finance)

Exemptions and deadlines in New York

Flood risk in Monroe County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Monroe County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
1%
2,341
Of those, with NFIP insurance
26%
County New York U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1% 2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 26% 76% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Rochester

Typical rent in Rochester is $1,081 a month: 8% below the county. In Rochester, 53% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Monroe County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,416 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $27.23 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Monroe County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,005 $19.33 $40,200
1 bedroom $1,131 $21.75 $45,240
2 bedrooms $1,416 $27.23 $56,640
3 bedrooms $1,706 $32.81 $68,240
4 bedrooms $1,875 $36.06 $75,000

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Rochester

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Rochester has 12 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,420 in 14605 to $2,130 in 14614.

12 of the 12 are above the fair market rent for Monroe County ($1,416).

2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Rochester when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Rochester

HUD lists 125 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Rochester. These are the largest.

  • Charlotte Lake River Homes 4587 Lake Ave, Rochester 14612 553 low-income homes · Studio: 157 · 1 bd: 332 · 2 bd: 36 · 3 bd: 22 · 4 bd: 6 · In service since 2007 · For older adults, families
  • Andrews Terrace 91 Saint Paul St, Rochester 14604 526 low-income homes · Studio: 84 · 1 bd: 392 · 2 bd: 50 · In service since 2008 · For older adults, people with disabilities
  • Rochester Highlands Apts 380 Westfall Rd, Rochester 14620 504 low-income homes · Studio: 8 · 1 bd: 192 · 2 bd: 253 · 3 bd: 51 · In service since 2007 · For families
  • Andrews Terrace 125 Saint Paul St, Rochester 14604 526 homes, 496 low-income · For older adults (585) 325-5232
  • Keeler Park Apts 501 Seneca Manor Dr, Rochester 14621 526 homes, 491 low-income · Studio: 315 · 1 bd: 180 · 2 bd: 30 · In service since 2003 · For families (585) 338-3400

See all 194 buildings in Monroe County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Rochester

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There are 7 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Monroe County; 4 say they serve in Spanish.

An older woman smiles in front of her apartment building.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Rochester

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Rochester or Monroe County. The ones below are statewide in New York: they work in Rochester the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in New York

Housing counselors near Rochester

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Rochester, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Urban League of Rochester DBA the Home Store

    265 N Clinton Ave, Rochester · 1 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 7 more
    (585) 325-6530

  • NSC (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Rochester, NY

    550 E Main St, Rochester · 1 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (703) 234-6222

  • Pathstone Corporation- New York

    400 East Avenue, Rochester · 2 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 11 more
    (585) 546-3700

Every agency in Monroe County All counseling agencies in New York

Help in Spanish near Rochester

2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Rochester

HUD’s record names them for Rochester or Monroe County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Rochester Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (585) 697-3602

One other authority has an office in Monroe County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Monroe County

These cities are also in Monroe County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Monroe County Housing in New York

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Rochester, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Monroe County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Rochester.

All guides
A father holds his baby and his young son by a white picket fence.

Questions

Housing questions about Rochester

Short answers with the numbers for Rochester and all of Monroe County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Rochester?

The typical home value in Rochester is $139,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Monroe County it is $213,700.

How much does it cost to rent in Rochester?

Typical rent in Rochester is $1,081 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Monroe County is $1,416.

What is the FHA loan limit in Rochester?

Rochester uses the FHA limit for all of Monroe County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Rochester?

The typical homeowner in Rochester pays $3,152 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 2.26% of the home’s value; in Monroe County, the rate is 2.63%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Rochester?

There are 7 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Monroe County. 4 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).