Rents are 3% below what Rochester's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,496 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Rochester, NY is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 30% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Rochester, NY has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Rochester, NY paid around $1,097 a month. That figure now sits near $1,496, up 36.4% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $47,213 today, compared with $40,083 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Rochester, NY losing about 2,328 residents over the five-year window, down 1.1% on net. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.
Discussions about Rochester
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Rochester on your salary?
At $1,496/mo, how Rochester rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Rochester rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Rochester. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Rochester
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Rochester is $1,496/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,018/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,421/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,143/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,713/mo.
At 38% of local median household income ($47,213/yr), Rochester ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rochester an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Rochester?
Is rent going up or down in Rochester?
Which Rochester neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Rochester rent compare to other cities in New York?
What percentage of Rochester residents rent vs. own?
How does Rochester rent compare to the national average?
At $1,496/mo, rent takes ~38% of Rochester's median household income ($47,213/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Rochester.
No discussions yet.
