Rochester

Rochester, NY Area Guide

Rochester blends history and innovation along the shores of Lake Ontario

History Lake Shopping Convenient Airport Urban

Situated in western New York on the cusp of Lake Ontario, Rochester holds the title of the state’s third most populous city. Touting a distinct blend of history and innovation, Rochester is filled with historic buildings turned modern lofts and apartments. The University of Rochester as well as Rochester Institute of Technology both contain leading research programs, lending to the city’s educated workforce and prospering future. Prominent figures like Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass once called Rochester home.

Even though it’s a fairly large city, Rochester still holds a small-town vibe. Rochester offers several community events that are widely attended, including the Lilac Festival and the Rochester International Jazz Festival.

The Strong Museum, Memorial Art Gallery, and the George Eastman Museum all feature special exhibits that inspire curiosity. Scenic views await at Highland Park, and residents adore their day trips to the Seneca Park Zoo and Seabreeze Amusement Park. The Mall at Greece Ridge and Village Gate Square house numerous retailers and an endless supply of shopping opportunities. Convenient access to Interstate 490 and public transit service lead to shorter commutes in Rochester. The Greater Rochester International Airport is adjacent to Genesee Valley Park.

Explore the City

The shaded Genesee Riverway Trail

The Corn Hill Historic District in Rochester

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Rochester, NY is $991 for a studio, $1,329 for one bedroom, $1,593 for two bedrooms, and $2,125 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Rochester has increased by 2.6% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,329/month
725 Sq Ft
House
$2,187/month
1,207 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,968/month
1,620 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,020/month
1,110 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Rochester, NY

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Rochester, NY is 2.1% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Rochester is 3.1% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $991 - $2,125. You can expect to pay 2.1% less for groceries, 11.0% less for utilities, and 9.0% more for transportation.

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Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Rochester, NY is for everyday living.

Somewhat Walkable

59 / 100

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

Some Transit

32 / 100

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

Bikeable

55 / 100

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Seneca School

Public

Grades K-5

Listwood School

Public

Grades K-5

Briarwood School

Public

Grades K-5

Brookview School

Public

Grades K-5

Gates Chili Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

Arcadia Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

Dake Junior High School

Public

Grades 6-8

Irondequoit High School

Public

Grades 9-12

Brighton High School

Public

Grades 9-12

Arcadia High School

Public

Grades 9-12

Athena High School

Public

Grades 9-12

Eastridge Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Seneca Park Zoo
  • Strong National Museum of Play
  • Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden
  • Strasenburgh Planetarium
  • Rochester Museum & Science Center

Airports

  • Frederick Douglass/Greater Rochester International

Top Apartments in Rochester

Houses for Rent in Rochester

Property Management Companies in Rochester, NY

Living in Rochester

Highlights

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Seneca Park Zoo, Seabreeze Amusement Park, Lilac Festival, annual Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, the Strong National Museum of Play, Finger Lakes Wine Country, Highland Park, George Eastman Museum, Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester Museum and Science Center, Genesee Valley Park, the Mall at Greece Ridge, Village Gate Square

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.