Cost of Living in Rochester, New York
In Rochester, the median household income is $47,213 and the median gross rent is $1,081/mo, with a median home value of $139,600. Source: Census Bureau ACS, 2020-2024 estimates.
- Median household income
- $47,213
- Median gross rent
- $1,081/mo
- Median home value
- $139,600
- Population
- 208,772
How Rochester compares to the New York average
| Measure | Rochester, NY | New York statewide | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $47,213 | $85,974 | -45.1% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,081 | $1,621 | -33.3% |
| Median home value | $139,600 | $423,800 | -67.1% |
Statewide, New York prices average 107.9 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (2024), where the U.S. average is 100.
Housing affordability in Rochester
- Salary needed for median rent
- $43,240
- Rent burden at median income
- 27.5%
- Est. affordable home price
- $172,230
So that $1,081/mo is 30% of gross income
Share of the median household income spent on median rent (30%+ = cost-burdened)
At median income, 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI
The median home value in Rochester is $139,600 — within what the median household income supports under these assumptions.
Estimates from documented formulas — see methodology. Not financial advice.
Cost of living in other New York cities
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.