Rows tagged local are specific to Rochester (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Rochester, NY. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 3/10 (district 3624750 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
98.4
metro-area
#133 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
97.4
metro-area
#125 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.60
metro-area
#130 of 200
Median household income
$44,156
local
#96 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$33,197
local
#76 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
8.46%
local
#90 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+0.7%
local
#154 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$111,400
local
#67 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.5×
local
#54 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+4.7%
metro-area
#24 of 200
Price per square foot
$70
local
#86 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,601 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$995
local
#100 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
1,543
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
15.9%
state
#193 of 200
Combined sales tax
8.52%
state
#141 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
10.90%
Capital gains tax
10.90%
state
#171 of 200
High earners
Top rates up to 10.9% on multimillion-dollar incomes
Effective property tax rate
2.67%
local
#200 of 200
Median property tax paid
$2,975
local
#173 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,800
state
#182 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$17,000
state
#170 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$70
state
#38 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
10
Avg commute to work
19 min
local
#28 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
29.4¢/kWh
state
#166 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$265
state
#166 of 200
Gasoline
$3.45/gal
state
#142 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$98
state
#186 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$87
state
#57 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$76
state
#20 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#80 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,100
state
#126 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$800
state
#120 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
39
metro-area
#31 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
700
metro-area
#25 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
6,000
metro-area
#168 of 200
Avg summer high
83°F
metro-area
#21 of 200
Avg winter low
16°F
metro-area
#168 of 200
Annual precipitation
35.1"
metro-area
#65 of 200
Annual snowfall
102.0"
metro-area
#200 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
51%
metro-area
#174 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
350
state
#51 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,450
state
#24 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
48
metro-area
#111 of 200
Parks
49
Hiking areas
4
Golf courses
12
Shooting ranges
22
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
5
state
#165 of 200
Permit detail
Very difficult; NYC DOB long timelines
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.