Housing and Real Estate in Rochester

Looking for a house to buy? Throughout Greater Rochester, you'll find homes full of character and charm. We have one of the largest collections of fine 19th- and early 20th- century homes in the Northeast. And you may be pleasantly surprised at the price.


Rochester NY Real Estate

The hallmark of the Rochester NY real estate market is a lot of house for the money. Compared with most other parts of the United States, Rochester houses have more charm and character for a fraction of the price! Based upon 2004 data, the median home sales price in the United States is $225,000, compared to the Rochester area's median home sales price of $115,000. The median house price in the city of Rochester is even more affordable. In addition, 77.5% of area homes are affordable to a family earning the median income, compared to 50% nationwide, demonstrating that in Rochester, your real estate dollar goes farther. (The Rochester area's median income is $58,800, slightly higher than the national median.)


Today's Market

At one point the Rochester real estate market could have been construed as a "buyer's market", however strong house sales over most of the past decade have made the market more balanced. In fact, in recent years, prices have gone above the listing price in some of the most popular areas. Another area where Rochester real estate differs from many cities is in the time needed to commute. A low rate of expansion combined with a considerable expressway system means that most locations can reach center city destinations in 20 minutes or less. Consequently, proximity to the expressways or downtown does not increase the sale price as it does in some larger cities, so city living in Rochester is possible at a fraction of the cost of many other urban areas.


Houses and Styles

Lovers of old houses will be especially impressed with Rochester's housing stock. Rochester was a muddy frontier town until 1825, when the Erie Canal opened. At that time, Rochester was transformed into "The Young Lion of the West" and is where the phrase "boomtown" was coined. Rochester became a prosperous industrial city, as is reflected in its architectural styles: Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Second Empire and Queen Anne styles were all popular in the 19th Century. In the 20th century until 1930, Rochester expanded along with Eastman Kodak, Bausch and Lomb and numerous other manufacturing firms. Styles popular during this era include Colonial Revival, Bungalow, Tudor Revival and especially American Foursquare – the 'most amount of house for the least amount of money'. Fortunately, Rochester has been a national leader in historic preservation, since the founding of the Landmark Society of Western New York in 1937, so well maintained houses in these styles are found in a variety of prices and settings.


City Living

The oldest homes in Rochester date to the mid-19th century. They are generally found in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding the center city, such as the South Wedge and Corn Hill. City homes range from painted lady Victorians and towering Italianate mansions to Arts & Crafts bungalows, Tudors and American Foursquares. They are rich in architectural details, with leaded glass windows, wood trim, hardwood floors, built-in cabinets, pocket doors and other examples of craftsmanship.

If you never thought you could afford to buy a house, Rochester will change your mind. Why? Because homes here tend to be less expensive than in similar metro areas around the country.