CALCMONEY // HOME AFFORDABILITY // NY // ROCHESTER
How much house can you afford in Rochester? Based on local median home prices, current NY mortgage rates, and Rochester property tax data.
$195,000
$1,585/mo
$67,935/yr
$98,352
Monthly housing costs of $1,585 represent 41.4% of Rochester's median gross monthly income ($3,833/mo). At 41.4%, median-income buyers in Rochester are significantly stretched — well above the 28% guideline. A larger down payment or higher income is required.
| Median Home Price | $195,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $39,000 |
| Loan Amount | $156,000 |
| Monthly PI Payment | $1,033 |
| Monthly Property Tax | $471 |
| Monthly Insurance Est. | $81 |
| Total Monthly PITI | $1,585 |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 41.4% |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $67,935/yr |
| Max Affordable Home | $98,352 |
$6,825
$1,931/mo
Rochester Home Affordability Quick Reference 2026
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $195,000 | Rochester city median |
| Down Payment (20%) | $39,000 | Conventional loan |
| Monthly PITI | $1,585 | 6.95% rate, 30yr fixed |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $67,935 | Annual gross |
| Max Affordable Home | $98,352 | Based on median income |
| FHA Down (3.5%) | $6,825 | Minimum FHA |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 41.4% | Median income: $46,000/yr |
| Property Tax Rate | 2.9% | $5,655/yr on median home |
Monthly PITI includes principal, interest, property tax, and homeowners insurance. Estimates only.
The median home price in Rochester is $195,000, with a local 30-year mortgage rate of 6.95%. A buyer putting 20% down carries a loan of $156,000, generating a monthly P&I payment of $1,033. Adding property taxes ($471/mo) and homeowners insurance ($81/mo) brings total monthly PITI to $1,585.
Rochester's property tax rate of 2.9% is notably high, meaningfully reducing how much home buyers can afford — lenders factor this directly into debt-to-income calculations. On the Rochester median home, that is $471/month, or $5,655 per year.
New York levies a state income tax, which affects take-home pay and effective buying power. High-income earners in Rochester should factor state tax liability into their overall housing budget — mortgage interest may be deductible on both federal and state returns.
Using the 28% rule, a household earning Rochester's median income of $46,000/year can afford up to $1,073/month in total housing costs. Based on Rochester's mortgage rate of 6.95% and property tax rate of 2.9%, that translates to a maximum affordable home price of approximately $98,352 with 20% down on a 30-year loan.
To afford the median Rochester home priced at $195,000, you need an annual gross income of approximately $67,935. Total monthly housing costs (principal and interest of $1,033, property taxes of $471, and insurance of $81) come to $1,585/month, which equals 28% of the required income.
At the median home price of $195,000 and median household income of $46,000, the total monthly housing cost of $1,585 represents 41.4% of gross monthly income. This is well above the standard 28% threshold, making Rochester a challenging market for buyers at median income.
A conventional 20% down payment on the median Rochester home of $195,000 is $39,000. An FHA loan requires just 3.5% down — $6,825 — but adds mortgage insurance of roughly $133/month, bringing total FHA payments to $1,931/month.
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