Rochester, New York
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Rochester, NY.
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How much does it cost to live in Rochester, NY?
For relocators asking how much Rochester costs: the housing index sits at 58 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $120,600 and rents near $1,039. Local median income is about $46,628 and unemployment recently ran 4.3% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 20 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 748.4 per 100k (catalog avg 559.5).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 58U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $120,600U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,039U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $46,628U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.3%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 20 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 748.4per 100k · catalog avg 559.5
- Summer high
- 80°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Rochester compares with a U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals) or a MapsToIt catalog average (crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 207,282City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $46,628Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year41% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 58ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year42% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $120,600City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year60% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,039City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year23% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.3%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-10-19 · July 2026Near U.S. rate (4.2%)U.S. 4.2% - Avg commute
- 20 min20% below catalog avgCatalog avg 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5522% above catalog avgCatalog avg 45
- Violent crime rate
- 748.4per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)34% above catalog avgCatalog avg 559.5 - Property crime rate
- 3470.9per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)15% above catalog avgCatalog avg 3005.3 - Summer high
- 80°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals7.0 pts below catalog avgCatalog avg 87°F
- Winter low
- 21°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals14.0 pts below catalog avgCatalog avg 35°F
- Annual rainfall
- 35.1 inAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6% above catalog avgCatalog avg 33.2 in
- Sunny days
- 197As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals26% below catalog avgCatalog avg 268
Population trend
Rochester declined 1.4% from 210,217 in 2010 to 207,282 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Rochester, NY expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Rochester's housing cost index is 58 versus 100 nationally — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($120,600 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,039 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 58 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $120,600 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,039 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Rochester, NY?
Typical ownership costs center near $120,600, while median gross rent is about $1,039 a month. Against a median household income of $46,628, rent alone is roughly 27% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $120,600
- Median rent $1,039/month
- Median household income $46,628
What is the job market like in Rochester, NY?
County unemployment recently ran 4.3% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Rochester is about $46,628 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 4.3% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $46,628
How long is the typical commute in Rochester, NY?
Average one-way commute time is about 20 minutes, with Walk Score near 55/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 20 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 55/100
Is Rochester, NY safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 748.4 per 100k and property about 3470.9 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 559.5 and 3005.3. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 748.4 per 100k
- Property 3470.9 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Rochester, NY?
Normals show summer highs near 80°F, winter lows near 21°F, about 35.1 inches of rain, and roughly 197 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 80°F
- Winter low 21°F
- 35.1 in rain · 197 sunny days
Rochester, New York counts about 207,282 residents inside the city limits. Households here report a median income near $46,628; our housing-derived cost index is about 58 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs). Entry home prices around $120,600 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Snow-belt Upstate and transit-heavy downstate markets feel like different worlds. Pack for 80°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 21°F. Commutes average near 20 minutes one-way, with walkability near 55/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.3% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 748.4 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Rochester is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI crime figures, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Rochester with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Rochester city, 1600000US3663000) — As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Monroe County, July 2026 — As of 2026-10-19 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019), city offenses per 100k — As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014768 ROCHESTER GTR INTL AP) — As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-10-19