Rochester is a mid-sized city in upstate New York, blending historical character with a vibrant urban lifestyle. Known for affordable living, diverse neighborhoods, and strong cultural attractions, the city appeals to people seeking a comfortable yet dynamic place to live. Newcomers often consider factors like local housing markets, safety, transportation options, quality of healthcare and education, as well as parks and recreation when planning their move.

Demographics

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College friendliness: 58.41
Family friendliness: 7.23
Young singles appeal: 57.17
Retirement friendliness: 15.96
First-time homebuyer friendliness: 30.44
Vacation home appeal: 0.00

Rochester shows moderate appeal for college students and young singles, which suggests a youthful and student-friendly community, likely influenced by local universities. However, the city has notably low scores for family friendliness, retirement friendliness, and first-time homebuyer friendliness, indicating significant challenges in affordability, safety, or community infrastructure suited to these groups. The absence of vacation home appeal emphasizes its urban residential character rather than a recreational destination.

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Lifestyle

Luxury living: 32.09
Hip & trendy factor: 85.16
Quietness: 14.85
Nautical/boating lifestyle: 0.00
Urban sophistication: 38.88
Walkability: 92.23
Car friendliness: 62.11
Cycling friendliness: 24.92
Vibrancy/liveliness: 75.16
Public transit friendliness: 63.67

Rochester excels in walkability, hipness, and vibrancy, indicating a highly dynamic and trendy urban setting with substantial amenities and pedestrian-friendly design. Moderate public transit friendliness and car accessibility contribute positively to transportation options. However, low scores in luxury living, quietness, and cycling infrastructure suggest a busy, affordable, and lively environment but potentially noisy and lacking extensive cycling facilities. This urban energy appeals primarily to younger demographics seeking lively city life rather than quiet or luxury-oriented lifestyles.

Housing Options and Homebuying

median home prices over time, rochester, ny — Home Stratosphere | Zillow Home Values Index

Rochester experienced slight price declines in the early 2010s but began a consistent and robust upward trend from 2013 onward. Notably, there was a dramatic spike in home prices during 2021 and 2022, reflecting strong demand and significant market revitalization. Recent years have shown continued steady growth, albeit at a slightly moderated pace. The sustained appreciation indicates increasing market stability and attractiveness, particularly driven by Rochester’s vibrant urban lifestyle and strong walkability, making it an increasingly appealing market for prospective homeowners and investors.

YoY home price changes, Rochester, NY — Home Stratosphere | Zillow Home Values Index

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Housing Stock and Neighborhoods

Rochester’s housing stock is older and full of character. Over half of the city’s houses were built before 1940, and many date back to the late 19th and early 20th century. You’ll see streets of classic American foursquare and Victorian-style homes, brick apartment buildings from the 1920s, and post-war tract houses.

Nearly 48% of housing units are single-family homes (mostly detached houses with yards). The rest are duplexes, small apartment buildings, and some larger apartment complexes. There are beautiful historic neighborhoods like Park Avenue (with colorful older homes), as well as more modest areas with bungalow-style houses.

A Brief History of Rochester

Rochester’s story begins in the early 1800s. The city grew up alongside the Genesee River and Erie Canal, which turned Rochester into America’s first “boom town.” In the 1820s and 1830s, Rochester was known as “Flour City” because its mills ground so much grain into flour. Later, it was nicknamed “Flower City” for its nurseries and lilacs.

In the early 20th century, Rochester became a center of innovation and industry. Companies like Eastman Kodak, Xerox, and Bausch & Lomb were founded here, making Rochester famous for photography, copying, and optics. This industrial heritage earned Rochester a reputation as a prosperous manufacturing city.

Rochester is proud of its history as the home of Susan B. Anthony (a leader of the women’s suffrage movement) and Frederick Douglass (the famous abolitionist), who both lived and worked in the city. You can still visit many historical sites, from Susan B. Anthony’s house to the High Falls of the Genesee, which have powered the city for over 200 years.

Affordability and Cost of Living

One big reason people consider moving to Rochester is the affordable cost of living. Overall, Rochester’s living costs are about on par with the U.S. national average. This means everyday expenses like groceries, utilities, and healthcare cost roughly the same as the average American city.

What’s notable is that Rochester is much cheaper than places like New York City or the West Coast. In fact, Rochester’s cost of living is 20% lower than the New York State average, since upstate cities are far less expensive than NYC.

Housing Costs

Housing is quite affordable: Rochester’s housing costs are slightly below the U.S. average (about 2% cheaper). The average rent in Rochester is around $1,500 per month, and the median home price is much lower than national figures.

Utilities (electricity, heat, water) run about 10% cheaper than the U.S. average. Groceries and healthcare costs are also a bit below average (on the order of 1–2% less). One area where Rochesterians might pay a bit more is transportation – gas and car insurance can be slightly above the U.S. average (transport costs ~9% higher), possibly due to New York State taxes on fuel.

In short, a salary tends to stretch further in Rochester than in many U.S. cities.

Safety and Crime

Safety is an important consideration for anyone moving to a new city. Like many cities, Rochester faces challenges with crime. Overall crime rates in Rochester are higher than the national average. In particular, violent crime (such as assaults and robberies) occurs at a higher rate in Rochester than in the country as a whole.

In 2019, Rochester had about 748 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. This was roughly double the U.S. average violent crime rate of around 367 per 100,000 people. Property crimes (like burglary and theft) are also more common – Rochester saw roughly 3,470 property crimes per 100,000 people in 2019, compared to about 2,110 per 100,000 nationally.

Recent Trends

Rochester experienced a spike in violence around 2021–2022, mirroring a national trend during the pandemic. The city had a record 81 homicides in 2021, pushing the homicide rate to one of the highest in the nation for cities of its size.

However, recent data suggest things are improving. In 2022, the number of homicides dropped slightly (76 that year), and by 2023–2024, officials reported declines in shootings and violent crime incidents. Rochester’s police and community organizations have been working to reduce gun violence and crime.

Many parts of Rochester are generally safe, and the majority of crimes are concentrated in specific high-poverty neighborhoods. Downtown and several residential neighborhoods have active community policing and neighborhood watch programs.

Economic Landscape and Employment

Rochester’s economy has changed from its manufacturing heyday, but it remains one of upstate New York’s economic hubs. The city’s job market today is centered on healthcare, education, and technology, along with some advanced manufacturing and professional services.

Major Employers

One of the largest employers is the University of Rochester, which includes the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and Strong Memorial Hospital. The University and its health system employ over 31,000 people locally, making it the region’s top employer.

Another major employer is Rochester Regional Health, which operates Rochester General Hospital and other healthcare facilities, with about 17,000 employees. Beyond healthcare, Wegmans Food Markets, a beloved regional grocery chain founded in Rochester, employs around 15,000 people in the area.

The tech and engineering sector is represented by companies like L3Harris Technologies (which includes the former Harris Corporation, employing ~3,800 locally), and Paychex, a payroll and HR services company headquartered in Rochester (~4,500 employees). While the old giants like Kodak and Xerox are much smaller now, they are still present.

Industry Mix

Education is strong – besides U of R, there’s Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) just outside the city, plus several colleges. Manufacturing hasn’t disappeared: Rochester has firms making medical devices, optics (the city still calls itself the “World’s Image Center” for its history in photography and imaging), machine tools, and food products.

In summary, Rochester’s economy is diverse but dominated by “eds and meds” (education and medical sectors). You’ll find opportunities in hospitals, universities, tech companies, banks, and government.

Getting Around: Transportation Options

Getting around Rochester is fairly easy by car, and somewhat limited but improving by public transit. Highway access is excellent: Rochester sits at the intersection of a few major routes. Interstate 490 (I-490) runs right through the city, looping through downtown and connecting to the New York State Thruway (I-90) just outside Rochester.

The city is also served by I-390 and I-590, which are north-south expressways that meet I-490 and make it easy to reach suburbs and the airport. Essentially, Rochester’s highways form a convenient network, and most parts of the city are a short drive from an expressway entrance. Traffic jams are relatively rare and mild compared to big cities – commute times are typically under 20 minutes one-way.

Public Transit

When it comes to public transportation, the primary system is the Regional Transit Service (RTS) bus network. RTS buses cover the city and many suburbs, and the hub is downtown at the RTS Transit Center.

However, Rochester does not have a subway or light rail (it did have a small subway decades ago, but that closed in 1956). So, the bus is the only public transit option within the city. The bus service is useful for those without cars, but many residents find that owning a car is the easiest way to get around.

For regional and national travel, Rochester has an Amtrak train station (with service to Buffalo, NYC, Chicago, etc.) and a Greyhound/Trailways bus station downtown. The Greater Rochester International Airport offers flights by major airlines.

Tax Considerations for Residents

New York is known as a high-tax state, and living in Rochester means you’ll encounter higher taxes than in many other parts of the country. There are two main taxes to consider: property taxes and income taxes (plus sales tax on purchases).

Property Taxes

Property taxes in the Rochester area are significantly above the national average. New York State’s effective property tax rate is about 1.64% of a home’s value, nearly double the U.S. average of 0.90%.

In the City of Rochester, the tax rate has multiple parts (city and school district). As of 2024, the city tax rate for homeowners is around $11.11 per $1,000 of assessed value (this is the city portion only). When you include school taxes, the total property tax bill might come out to roughly $30–$40 per $1,000 of home value depending on the year.

For example, a house assessed at $150,000 in the city would owe around $1,667 per year in city+school property taxes under the new rates. That is about 1.1% of the home’s value annually.

Income and Sales Tax

On the income tax side, New York State has a progressive income tax. The tax rates range from 4% up to 10.9% on the highest incomes. For most working households in Rochester, the state income tax will be somewhere in the middle of that range. There is no separate city income tax in Rochester.

In Monroe County (which includes Rochester), the sales tax on purchases is 8% (4% NY state + 4% county). Groceries and prescription medications are exempt from sales tax in New York.

Healthcare Access and Quality

Rochester offers excellent healthcare facilities and access for a city its size. The region is a healthcare hub with two major hospital systems: the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and Rochester Regional Health.

URMC’s flagship, Strong Memorial Hospital, is a large teaching hospital consistently ranked among the top in New York State for specialties like neurology and orthopedics. Rochester General Hospital (part of Rochester Regional) is another well-regarded hospital, known especially for cardiac care.

For residents, this means you have quick access to high-quality medical care, including specialists and cutting-edge treatments, without leaving town.

Public Health Indicators

Health insurance coverage is high among Rochester’s population. Only about 5.5% of Rochester residents under age 65 lack health insurance, which is better than the national uninsured rate (nationally about 9.5% of under-65 people were uninsured in 2023).

For families, there’s the Golisano Children’s Hospital at URMC, providing comprehensive pediatric care. The city and county also focus on public health issues like lead poisoning prevention (important in a city with old housing), opioid overdose reduction, and ensuring clean water and air.

Education System Overview

Education is a mixed picture in Rochester. The City of Rochester is served by the Rochester City School District (RCSD), which faces significant challenges. The performance of the public schools in the city has historically been below state and national averages on many measures.

One key indicator: the high school graduation rate in Rochester’s public schools is only about 63% for students graduating in four years. This is far lower than the U.S. average graduation rate of around 87% for high school students. In fact, Rochester’s graduation rate is one of the lowest in New York State.

Educational Options

There are some bright spots. A few specialized schools in the city do better, such as School of the Arts (a secondary school focused on performance and visual arts) and some charter schools. Rochester has a number of charter schools and alternative programs that families can consider.

Additionally, for younger children, the city has been expanding pre-kindergarten programs to give kids a better start. Another resource is the network of public libraries and after-school programs which provide learning support outside of the classroom.

Some families opt for magnet schools or charter schools in Rochester to find a suitable environment. Others, if financially able, consider private schools (Rochester has several private and parochial schools known for strong academics).

Parks and Recreation

One of Rochester’s greatest assets is its abundance of parks and outdoor spaces. The city prides itself on having over 3,500 acres of parks for the public to enjoy. These parks range from large, historic landscapes to small neighborhood playgrounds. Some of Rochester’s parks were even designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the famed designer of New York City’s Central Park.

Notable Parks and Features

Notable parks include Highland Park, known worldwide for its Lilac Festival each May when thousands of lilac bushes bloom. Genesee Valley Park is another Olmsted design – it’s where the Genesee River and Erie Canal meet, offering miles of riverside trails and open fields for sports.

If you like water, Durand Eastman Park on the city’s northeast side has lakes and a beachfront on Lake Ontario, with a swimming beach at Ontario Beach Park (in the Charlotte neighborhood). On summer days, you can relax on the sand or ride the historic 1905 carousel at Ontario Beach.

Seneca Park houses the Seneca Park Zoo, a popular family attraction. Cobb’s Hill Park offers great city skyline views from its reservoir hill, along with tennis courts and a small lake for fishing.

Beyond formal parks, Rochester has natural beauty in the form of the Genesee River which runs through the city, complete with waterfalls. High Falls in downtown is a 96-foot waterfall with a scenic viewing area.

Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

Culturally, Rochester punches above its weight. The city has a thriving arts and entertainment scene with many amenities you might expect only in larger cities. Rochester is a music city – it’s home to the renowned Eastman School of Music, which feeds into the community a constant stream of concerts and musical talent.

Museums and Performing Arts

The Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) is a fine art museum affiliated with the University of Rochester. For a more unique museum experience, there’s the Strong National Museum of Play, which is essentially the ultimate kids’ (and kids-at-heart) museum – it’s focused on the history of play, toys, and video games.

Rochester also celebrates its history and science: the Rochester Museum & Science Center has exhibits on local history, science experiments, and a planetarium. Plus, photography enthusiasts can visit the George Eastman Museum, located in Kodak founder George Eastman’s mansion, which is the world’s oldest photography museum.

For theater and the performing arts, Rochester offers several options. The Geva Theatre Center is a professional theater that produces plays and musicals. There are also smaller theater troupes and the Rochester Fringe Festival each fall, which showcases experimental theater, comedy, dance, and more.

Local Cuisine and Entertainment

Entertainment and nightlife in Rochester are boosted by the city’s many restaurants, breweries, and festivals. The East End district downtown has clubs, bars, and music venues making it a nightlife hub. Neighborhoods like NOTA (Neighborhood of the Arts) and South Wedge are filled with trendy cafes, craft breweries, and galleries.

Rochester is famous for a local cuisine item called the “Garbage Plate,” a hearty mix of home fries, macaroni salad, meats, and hot sauce – an experience to try at least once at places like Nick Tahou Hots.

Sports and Recreation

Families will appreciate amenities like the Seneca Park Zoo and numerous festivals (Lilac Festival, Fringe Festival, Jazz Fest, etc.). Rochester has minor league sports teams: the Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A baseball) play at Frontier Field downtown, and the Amerks (American Hockey League) play hockey at Blue Cross Arena.

For outdoor sports, Rochester’s snowy winters mean opportunities for cross-country skiing, sledding, and ice skating in parks. In warmer months, locals enjoy boating on Lake Ontario or the Finger Lakes, hiking in Letchworth State Park (“the Grand Canyon of the East”, about an hour away), and playing golf at courses like Durand-Eastman or Genesee Valley.

Summary: Rochester’s Unique Appeal

In summary, Rochester offers a rich cultural life with affordable living costs. Housing is exceptionally affordable, with median home values around $120,000. The healthcare system is strong, with two major hospital networks providing high-quality care.

While the city faces challenges with higher-than-average crime rates and struggling public schools, there are many safe neighborhoods and educational alternatives. The economy has transitioned from manufacturing to being centered on education, healthcare, and technology, with major employers like the University of Rochester and Rochester Regional Health.

Rochester’s parks, museums, and cultural institutions provide a quality of life that rivals much larger cities. With its mix of affordability, amenities, and economic opportunities, Rochester remains an attractive option for those looking to settle in upstate New York.