This ratio provides a rough estimate of the affordability of homes in a community. A ratio less than 2 or 3 is considered affordable.

The regional ratio of median home value to median household income was 2.4 in 2014-18, much more affordable than in the overall state (4.6) and nation (3.4). The regional ratio increased 12% from 2000 through 2014-18, less than the statewide increase of 36% and the national increase of 28% over the same period. The ratio in the region increased from 2000 to 2009-13 (14%) then rolled back by 2% from 2009-13 to 2014-18.

Among individual counties in the region, Monroe and Ontario were the least affordable (both at 2.5), followed closely by Yates (2.4). Orleans was most affordable, at 1.8, followed by Wyoming and Seneca (both 1.9). From 2000 to 2014-18, the ratio increased in a majority of the region's counties, with the largest increases coming in Ontario (24%), Monroe and Wayne (both 15%). Most counties saw declines from 2009-13 to 2014-18. In 2014-18, Rochester's ratio was 2.5, higher than Batavia (2.0) and Geneva (2.4) and lower than Canandaigua (3.4).

Multi-year figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined five years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Data for this indicator are expected to be released in the fourth quarter.