Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Rochester

Affordability in Rochester, NY

Rochester is a majority-renter city, with 62% of households renting their homes, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024). The median household income is $47,213 per year, while the median gross rent is $1,081 per month, making subsidized housing an important resource for many residents here.

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Rochester Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 690 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting practices and local definitions.

Getting Around Rochester

The assisted properties in Rochester score 76 (Very Walkable) for walkability, 58 (Good Transit) for public transit, and 35 for bikeability, according to Walk Score. These scores reflect conditions in the neighborhoods where these properties are located.

Schools

Rochester is served by 116 schools across 27 districts, including 66 elementary, 14 middle, 25 high schools, and 11 other schools, according to NCES Common Core of Data. Quality and programs vary by school and district, so renters should look up the assigned schools for any specific address they are considering.

Cost of Living & Housing Affordability

The median household income in Rochester is $47,213 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. The citywide median rent is $1,081 per month, also from Census ACS 5-Year, which helps put the value of income-based housing in context.

Income-restricted units in Rochester are priced as a percentage of the Area Median Income (AMI), meaning your rent is tied to what you earn -- not to market conditions. With 4,161 income-based units across 38 properties in this city, there are options designed to keep housing costs within reach for lower- and moderate-income renters.

• Citywide median rent: $1,081/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Median household income: $47,213/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Share of renter households: 62% (Census ACS 5-Year)

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 38 assisted properties in Rochester were mapped for flood risk. None are located in a high-risk flood zone, according to HUD-assisted property flood data.