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.
$175,000
$1,411/mo
$60,454/yr
$106,563
Monthly housing costs of $1,411 represent 37.6% of Rochester's median gross monthly income ($3,750/mo). At 37.6%, 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 | $175,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $35,000 |
| Loan Amount | $140,000 |
| Monthly PI Payment | $922 |
| Monthly Property Tax | $416 |
| Monthly Insurance Est. | $73 |
| Total Monthly PITI | $1,411 |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 37.6% |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $60,454/yr |
| Max Affordable Home | $106,563 |
$6,125
$1,720/mo
Rochester Home Affordability Quick Reference 2026
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $175,000 | Rochester city median |
| Down Payment (20%) | $35,000 | Conventional loan |
| Monthly PITI | $1,411 | 6.9% rate, 30yr fixed |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $60,454 | Annual gross |
| Max Affordable Home | $106,563 | Based on median income |
| FHA Down (3.5%) | $6,125 | Minimum FHA |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 37.6% | Median income: $45,000/yr |
| Property Tax Rate | 2.85% | $4,988/yr on median home |
Monthly PITI includes principal, interest, property tax, and homeowners insurance. Estimates only.
The median home price in Rochester is $175,000, with a local 30-year mortgage rate of 6.9%. A buyer putting 20% down carries a loan of $140,000, generating a monthly P&I payment of $922. Adding property taxes ($416/mo) and homeowners insurance ($73/mo) brings total monthly PITI to $1,411.
Rochester's property tax rate of 2.85% 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 $416/month, or $4,988 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 $45,000/year can afford up to $1,050/month in total housing costs. Based on Rochester's mortgage rate of 6.9% and property tax rate of 2.85%, that translates to a maximum affordable home price of approximately $106,563 with 20% down on a 30-year loan.
To afford the median Rochester home priced at $175,000, you need an annual gross income of approximately $60,454. Total monthly housing costs (principal and interest of $922, property taxes of $416, and insurance of $73) come to $1,411/month, which equals 28% of the required income.
At the median home price of $175,000 and median household income of $45,000, the total monthly housing cost of $1,411 represents 37.6% 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 $175,000 is $35,000. An FHA loan requires just 3.5% down — $6,125 — but adds mortgage insurance of roughly $120/month, bringing total FHA payments to $1,720/month.
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