Median Home
$130,000
Rent (1BR)
$900/mo
Cost of Living
82 / 100
Unemployment
4.5%
Sunny Days
161/yr
Walkability
Somewhat Walkable
What It's Really Like in Rochester
A Great Lakes city with world-class healthcare, the Eastman School of Music, and one of the most affordable housing markets in the Northeast. Strong arts and food scenes on a budget.
Neighborhood Guide
Where to live in Rochester based on your lifestyle and budget.
Park Avenue
trendyRochester's most walkable strip with restaurants, shops, and a vibrant community.
Avg Rent
$1,000
Home Price
$200,000
Walkability
High
South Wedge
artsyEclectic neighborhood with vintage shops, restaurants, and a creative community.
Avg Rent
$850
Home Price
$150,000
Walkability
Medium
Brighton
family-friendlySoutheast suburb with excellent schools and Twelve Corners shopping.
Avg Rent
$1,050
Home Price
$220,000
Walkability
Medium
East Avenue
upscaleHistoric mansions and the George Eastman Museum along Rochester's grandest avenue.
Avg Rent
$1,100
Home Price
$250,000
Walkability
Medium
Cost of Living Breakdown
Compared to the national average (100). Below 100 = cheaper, above 100 = more expensive.
Groceries
96
4% below avg
Housing
44
56% below avg
Transportation
96
4% below avg
Healthcare
90
10% below avg
Utilities
96
4% below avg
Best Neighborhoods By Situation
Best for Families
- Brighton — $1,050/mo rent
Best for Young Professionals
- Park Avenue — $1,000/mo rent
Most Affordable
- South Wedge — $850/mo rent
- Park Avenue — $1,000/mo rent
Most Walkable
- Park Avenue — walkability: high
Getting Around Rochester
Walkability: Somewhat Walkable
Rochester has moderate walkability. Some neighborhoods are walkable for daily errands, but most residents will need a car for commuting and larger shopping trips.
Airport: ROC
Rochester is served by ROC airport, connecting you to major domestic and international destinations. This is important if you travel frequently for work or want to visit family back home.
Jobs & Economy
Median Income
$37,742
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
State Income Tax
4-10.9%
Cost of Living Index
82
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationTechnology/OpticsManufacturingFood Production
Major Employers
University of Rochester Medical CenterWegmansXeroxPaychexRochester Regional Health
Popular Routes to Rochester
People are moving to Rochester from these cities.
Rochester, NYRochester
326 miles5.9hr driveI-95 South
Rochester, NYRochester
2,936 miles53.4hr driveI-90 West
Rochester, NYRochester
673 miles12.2hr driveI-90 West
Rochester, NYRochester
1,752 miles31.9hr driveI-95 South
Rochester, NYRochester
2,560 miles46.5hr driveI-90 West
Rochester, NYRochester
331 miles6hr driveI-95 South
Rochester, NYRochester
1,942 miles35.3hr driveI-95 South
Rochester, NYRochester
2,924 miles53.2hr driveI-90 West
Rochester, NYRochester
1,642 miles29.9hr driveI-95 South
Moving from Rochester to Other States
Route guides from Rochester, NY to every US state.
Rochester → CaliforniaRochester → TexasRochester → FloridaRochester → PennsylvaniaRochester → IllinoisRochester → OhioRochester → GeorgiaRochester → North CarolinaRochester → MichiganRochester → New JerseyRochester → VirginiaRochester → WashingtonRochester → ArizonaRochester → MassachusettsRochester → TennesseeRochester → IndianaRochester → MarylandRochester → MissouriRochester → WisconsinRochester → ColoradoRochester → MinnesotaRochester → South CarolinaRochester → AlabamaRochester → LouisianaRochester → KentuckyRochester → OregonRochester → OklahomaRochester → ConnecticutRochester → UtahRochester → IowaRochester → NevadaRochester → ArkansasRochester → MississippiRochester → KansasRochester → New MexicoRochester → NebraskaRochester → IdahoRochester → West VirginiaRochester → HawaiiRochester → New HampshireRochester → MaineRochester → Rhode IslandRochester → MontanaRochester → DelawareRochester → South DakotaRochester → North DakotaRochester → AlaskaRochester → District of ColumbiaRochester → VermontRochester → Wyoming
Moving from Rochester to Metro Areas
Route guides from Rochester to major metropolitan areas.
Rochester → New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJRochester → Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CARochester → Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-INRochester → San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CARochester → Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TXRochester → Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WVRochester → Trenton-Princeton, NJRochester → Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CTRochester → Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MDRochester → Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FLRochester → Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZRochester → Vallejo, CARochester → Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TXRochester → Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WARochester → Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MDRochester → Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WARochester → Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NHRochester → Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CORochester → Kenosha, WIRochester → Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
Moving from Rochester to Major Cities
Route guides from Rochester to the largest US cities.
Rochester → New York, NYRochester → Los Angeles, CARochester → Chicago, ILRochester → Houston, TXRochester → Phoenix, AZRochester → Philadelphia, PARochester → San Antonio, TXRochester → San Diego, CARochester → Dallas, TXRochester → Austin, TXRochester → San Jose, CARochester → Jacksonville, FLRochester → Fort Worth, TXRochester → Columbus, OHRochester → Charlotte, NCRochester → Indianapolis, INRochester → San Francisco, CARochester → Seattle, WARochester → Denver, CORochester → Nashville, TNRochester → Oklahoma City, OKRochester → Washington, DCRochester → El Paso, TXRochester → Boston, MARochester → Portland, ORRochester → Las Vegas, NVRochester → Memphis, TNRochester → Louisville, KYRochester → Baltimore, MDRochester → Milwaukee, WI
Your Rochester Newcomer Checklist
A 30-60-90 day plan to get settled in your new city.
30
First 30 Days
- Update your driver's license & vehicle registration
- Register to vote at your new address
- Set up utilities (electric, water, internet)
- Find a primary care doctor & dentist
- Open a local bank account if needed
- Explore your neighborhood on foot
60
Days 30–60
- Join a local gym, club, or meetup group
- Try restaurants in different neighborhoods
- Find your go-to grocery store & pharmacy
- Learn the best commute routes & shortcuts
- Attend a local event or festival
- Meet your neighbors — introduce yourself
90
Days 60–90
- Establish a weekend routine (parks, brunch spots)
- Build a professional network in your industry
- Find a favorite coffee shop to work from
- Explore day-trip destinations nearby
- Start feeling like a local — give directions!
- Invite friends & family to visit your new home