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 2013-17, much more affordable than in the overall state (4.7) and nation (3.4). The regional ratio increased 15% from 2000 through 2013-17, less than the statewide increase of 37% and the national increase of 26% over the same period. The ratio in the region increased much less (3%) from 2008-12 to 2013-17 than from 2000 to 2008-12 (12%).

Among individual counties in the region, Monroe was least affordable (2.6), followed closely by Ontario and Yates (both at 2.5). Orleans and Seneca were most affordable, both at 1.9. From 2000 to 2013-17, the ratio in each county in the region increased, with the largest increases coming in Ontario (24%), Monroe (18%) and Wayne (16%), and the smallest increase in Seneca (1%). Most counties saw smaller increases from 2008-12 to 2013-17. In 2013-17, Rochester's ratio was 2.5, higher than Batavia (2.1) and Geneva (2.3) and lower than Canandaigua (3.5).

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.