Living in Rochester, New York
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Rochester · Census data 2020–2024
Rochester has 208,772 residents with a median age of 33.7. The median household income is $47,213 (45% lower than the New York median), the median home value is $139,600, the median rent is $1,081/month.
Rochester at a glance
- Population
- 208,772
- Median age
- 33.7State: 39.8
- Median household income
- $47,213State: $85,974
- Median home value
- $139,600State: $423,800
- Median rent
- $1,081/moState: $1,621
- Homeowners
- 38.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Rochester a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 67% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 45% lower than the New York median; unemployment of 7.9%; a poverty rate of 27.8%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Rochester
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Rochester the median home value is $139,600, 58% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,081 per month, which is 32% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,244 a month in housing costs.
Rochester median household income
The median household income in Rochester is $47,213 and the income per person is $31,314. 27.8% of residents live below the poverty line (New York: 14%).
Housing in Rochester: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 104,479
- Owner-occupied
- 38.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 61.9%
- Vacant
- 10.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.14
Rochester demographics
- Population
- 208,772
- Median age
- 33.7
- Under 18
- 20.9%
- 65 and older
- 13.1%
- Households
- 93,261
- Foreign-born
- 8.2%
- Veterans
- 3.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Rochester ›
Education in Rochester
30% of adults 25 and older in Rochester have a bachelor's degree or higher (New York: 40.2%), and 12.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Rochester
- Unemployment rate
- 7.9%State: 6.4%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 33 min
- Work from home
- 12.5%
- Drive alone
- 63.4%
- Public transit
- 5.6%
- Walk to work
- 4.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.4%
Rochester vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | 208,772 | $47,213 | $139,600 | $1,081 |
| Irondequoit | 50,657 | $79,162 | $182,500 | $1,159 |
| Gates | 4,691 | $54,647 | $168,600 | $2,110 |
| Brighton | 36,834 | $85,467 | $282,100 | $1,350 |
| North Gates | 9,904 | $76,277 | $163,400 | $1,137 |
| Greece | 13,943 | $65,849 | $169,300 | $1,168 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | 6,959 | $20,192 | — | $1,037 |
| Pittsford | 1,664 | $119,211 | $374,000 | $1,734 |
| East Rochester | 6,218 | $73,344 | $143,500 | $1,132 |
More for people moving to Rochester
Rochester ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Rochester: FAQ
What is the median household income in Rochester, NY?
The median household income in Rochester is $47,213, 45% lower than the New York median of $85,974 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Rochester?
The median home value in Rochester is $139,600, compared with $423,800 in New York.
How much is rent in Rochester?
The median gross rent in Rochester is $1,081 per month, about 32% of household income.
Is Rochester, NY a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 67% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes. Minuses: median household income 45% lower than the New York median; unemployment of 7.9%; a poverty rate of 27.8%.
What is the median age in Rochester?
The median age in Rochester is 33.7 years (New York: 39.8).
How long is the commute in Rochester?
The average commute to work in Rochester is 19 minutes; 12.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Rochester?
The unemployment rate in Rochester is 7.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Rochester?
30% of adults in Rochester have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: