Living in Rochester, NY
Rochester is the 120th-largest city in the US, home to about 206,000 people in 2025. It has lost 2.4% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (97.0 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 206,108-2.4% since 2020
- Median home value
- $139,6003.0 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,081/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $47,213median, per year
- Price level
- 97.0US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 33° / 83°lows 19° / 62°
- Average commute
- 19 min13% work from home
- State income tax
- 10.9%top rate, graduated
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County: Monroe County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 505 ft
Metro area: Rochester, NY
Cost of living in Rochester
The median home in Rochester is worth $139,600 and the median household earns $47,213 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.0 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,081 a month, about 28% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Rochester, NY metro area at 97.0, with housing at 87.5 and goods at 99.7 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $72,800 here. New York taxes wages at a top rate of 10.9%. The average combined state and local sales tax in New York is 8.54%.
What would my salary be worth in Rochester?
Rochester weather
Average highs run from 33°F in January to 82°F in July, and January nights average 19°F. It gets 35 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 102 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 129 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Rochester
People and work
The median resident is 33.7 years old, and 30% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 38% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 19 minutes; 12% of workers work from home and 6% take public transit.
- Median age
- 33.7113th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 30%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 38%of households
- People per sq mile
- 5,76335.8 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 6%4% walk, 1% bike
- Unemployment
- 7.9%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 27.8%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1938median year
Who moves to Rochester, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Kings County, NY, New York (Queens County) and New York County, NY. People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Charlotte (Mecklenburg County), Tampa (Hillsborough County) and New York County, NY. See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Monroe County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: inland flooding, winter weather, ice storm, cold wave.
Home prices
+4.5% in a year
Up 62% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Rochester, NY area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
74% good days
7 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Rochester, NY area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Rochester
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Monroe Community College 5 miles
- University of Rochester 3 miles
- SUNY Brockport 16 miles
- SUNY College at Geneseo 28 miles
- St. John Fisher University 7 miles
- Finger Lakes Community College 29 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Rochester
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport ROC | 4 mi | 1,331,837 |
| Buffalo Niagara International Airport BUF | 58 mi | 2,499,295 |
| Niagara Falls International Airport IAG | 66 mi | 59,119 |
| Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport ITH | 76 mi | 69,613 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Rochester
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester Institute of Technology | 7 mi | 13,215 | $37,232 | 70% |
| Monroe Community College | 5 mi | 7,623 | $4,268 | 27% |
| University of Rochester | 3 mi | 6,331 | $34,347 | 83% |
| SUNY Brockport | 16 mi | 5,784 | $17,315 | 50% |
| St. John Fisher University | 7 mi | 2,565 | $29,743 | 74% |
| Nazareth University | 8 mi | 1,873 | $30,265 | 73% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Rochester
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 24, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 11 and the first frost comes around October 25.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Rochester Gtr Intl. Airport, NY, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Rochester.
Wildfire smoke in Rochester
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Rochester on about 111 days a year, including about 30 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Rochester
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 93,261 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Rochester
Downtown Rochester is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester City School District | Pre-K to 12 | 21,990 | 40 | 10.2 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Greece Central School District (10,046 students), Webster Central School District (8,014 students), Rush-Henrietta Central School District (5,726 students), Pittsford Central School District (5,571 students), Fairport Central School District (5,269 students), Penfield Central School District (4,721 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Rochester's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Rochester's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- South Bend, IN78% matchCompare
- Lansing, MI76% matchCompare
- Milwaukee, WI75% matchCompare
- Wyoming, MI73% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Rochester
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Rochester
- Bristol Mountain Ski Resort 32 miles
- Holiday Valley 82 miles
- Greek Peak 88 miles
- Peek'n Peak 132 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Rochester
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.0 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Commutes are short: 19 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data New York's top income tax rate is 10.9%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Winters are snowy: about 102 inches a year.
- Data Poverty is high: 27.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
- Data Home prices have climbed fast: up 62% in five years (FHFA).
Rochester report card from locals
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Rochester through locals' eyes
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Cities near Rochester
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo, NY | 65 mi | 274,613 | $164,200 | 95.8 | Compare |
| Syracuse, NY | 75 mi | 144,896 | $138,400 | 95.7 | Compare |
| Ithaca, NY | 77 mi | 33,632 | $342,700 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Erie, PA | 144 mi | 91,838 | $115,200 | 91.0 | Compare |
| Scranton, PA | 158 mi | 75,514 | $158,100 | 93.6 | Compare |
| Albany, NY | 200 mi | 101,698 | $234,700 | 99.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Rochester with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Rochester a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show homes that cost under four years of median income, short commutes; the trade-offs are heavy snow, a shrinking population. Compare Rochester side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Rochester?
The Census Bureau estimates Rochester had 206,108 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 211,221 in April 2020 (-2.4%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Rochester?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $72,800 in the Rochester area. The median household here earns $47,213.
When is the best time to visit Rochester?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 82°F and January 33°F for daytime highs.
What county is Rochester in?
Rochester is in Monroe County, New York. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Rochester in?
Rochester is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Rochester?
About 505 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does New York have a state income tax?
Yes. New York has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 10.9% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Rochester. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Rochester, NY metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Rochester Gtr Intl. Airport, NY station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.