Rochester, New York Housing Market

What stands out in Rochester?

• 4% of sellers have cut their price: among the lowest share of price cuts of 765 tracked cities. Sellers are holding firm on price.
• Against its own 2017–2019, Rochester leans further toward sellers than most tracked cities: among the strongest sellers’ markets against their own normal of 765 tracked cities. Sellers have unusual pull right now.
• Listings spend a median 31 days on the market: among the shortest times on market of 765 tracked cities. Few listings sit for long. Have financing ready before you look.

Why is Rochester still competitive?

Rochester has 48% fewer homes for sale than in 2017–2019 at this time of year, and listings spend a median 31 days on the market, less than in 98% of the 765 cities we track. Well-priced homes will draw more than one offer. Your discount is in the listing that has sat, so set a price alert and move when a stale one gets cut.

Are Rochester price gains broad or limited to a few ZIP codes?

Asking price per square foot in Rochester is up 4.5% over the last year. 11 of the 17 ZIP codes with at least 10 listings rose. 14622 led at up 17.0%, and 14613 trailed at down 32.9%. The gains are uneven. Price each ZIP on its own trend. Over five years the pace has been 6.2% a year. Underwrite closer to that than to the last twelve months.

How much can you negotiate in Rochester?

Pending-sale counts for Rochester were thinly reported until recently, so this page reads demand from how long listings stay on the market, how many sellers cut, and how much is for sale. Few sellers are dropping their price. Asking prices are holding firm. Your discount will come from one stale listing.

Rochester listings spend a median 31 days on the market. That is 9% shorter than a year ago. There are 413 homes for sale in Rochester. That is 2.4 times the tightest month on record, but below the peak of 1,433. Supply is steady against last year.

What to do about it

• Start in 14611, 14613, and 14621, the least competitive corners of Rochester: in 14611, 16% of sellers have cut and listings spend a median 32 days on the market.
• Hunt listings older than 60 days. They are the soft targets left.
• Get financing approved and set your maximum price before you bid.

When do Rochester prices dip?

Across 9 full years, Rochester asking prices ran lowest in January, about 10.4% below the year's average. They peaked in June. The most homes for sale show up in October, about 20% above the yearly average. Shop in October for choice, and expect the softest asking prices in January.

How does Rochester compare with other New York markets?

Ranked among the 14 New York markets we track:

• Asking price: 3rd cheapest of 14. Rochester is at $195,162. Closest: Binghamton and Syracuse.
• Time on market: the shortest time on market of 14. Rochester is at a median of 31 days on market. Closest: Albany.
• Price cuts: the fewest price cuts of 14. Rochester is at 4% of sellers cutting. Closest: White Plains.

Is now a good time to buy in Rochester?

The median asking price is 9.1% below its May 2026 peak. You are not buying at the top. Prices are rising again. Every month you wait costs money. The question is no longer when. It is which house. Rochester prices have risen in 89 of the last 111 months. Drops here have been short and shallow. Buying in a slow month has rarely hurt a long hold.

If you plan to sell in the next two years, move it up. This much buyer demand does not last. Right now it does your negotiating for you.

What numbers should you underwrite a Rochester deal with?

• Price growth to assume — +6.2%/yr. Rochester has grown about 6.2% a year for five years and for ten. That pace held before and after the 2020–2021 boom, so it is a fair long-run input. Prices rose 4.5% over the last year. Use it for timing. The five-year rate is the better guide.
• Odds you cut your price to sell — 1 in 23. 4% of Rochester listings have cut their asking price. Underwrite your exit below asking.

Read when a cheap market is a warning and how we read these numbers, then run the numbers on a deal.

What is the median home price in Rochester?

The median asking price in Rochester is about $195,000 as of Sep 2026, up 6.9% from a year ago. This is the asking price on homes listed for sale. Sites that report sold prices or estimated home values will show a different number. Our Rochester figures cover the 37 ZIP codes with a Rochester mailing address, which can reach past city limits.

Is Rochester a buyer's or seller's market in 2026?

Sellers have more pull in Rochester than usual. We compare Rochester with 2017–2019 at this time of year: 4% of sellers have cut their price, against 22% then; there are 48% fewer homes for sale; listings spend 1% fewer days on the market.

Are Rochester home prices going up or down?

The median asking price is 9.1% below its May 2026 peak. You are not buying at the top. Prices are rising again. Every month you wait costs money. The question is no longer when. It is which house.

What price growth should I assume for Rochester?

Assume +6.2% a year. Rochester has grown about 6.2% a year for five years and for ten. That pace held before and after the 2020–2021 boom, so it is a fair long-run input. Prices rose 4.5% over the last year. Use it for timing. The five-year rate is the better guide.

What is the fair market rent in Rochester?

HUD's fiscal year 2026 fair market rent for Monroe County is $1,573 a month for 2 bedrooms and $1,895 for 3 bedrooms. The figures include tenant-paid utilities and cover the whole county.