What does this measure?
The ratio of the median home value divided by the median household income, adjusted for inflation, and shown for homeowners in various racial and ethnic groups.
Why is this important?
This ratio provides a rough estimate of the affordability of homes in a community. A ratio less than 2 or 3 is considered affordable. High housing costs can force households to choose between paying for housing and meeting other basic needs such as food, clothing and health care.
How is our region performing?
Housing in the region was most affordable in 2017-21 for white homeowners, at 2.0, compared to 2.7 for both Asian and Hispanic homeowners, and 2.6 for Black or African American homeowners. The region was more affordable for all racial and ethnic groups than the state and nation. Disparities were most pronounced at the state level, where the ratio for white homeowners (3.4) was substantially lower than for Hispanic (6.6), Black (6.8) and Asian (6.9) homeowners.
In 2017-21, Asian and white residents had the highest median home values in the region, at about $207,500 and $162,100, respectively. African Americans had the lowest median home value in the region, at $102,200, while the median for Hispanic homeowners was $136,200. The City of Rochester had lower median values for all racial and ethnic groups: $110,500 for white homeowners; $77,600 for Black homeowners; $81,400 for Hispanic homeowners; and $91,200 for Asian homeowners.
Why do these disparities exist?
Historic and current policies and systems, from racist housing policies to employment discrimination to education systems that fail to equitably serve all populations, have prevented people of color from fully participating in our economy, locking them out of economic opportunity. This has resulted in lower incomes for people of color, which means housing costs are a greater burden.
Notes about the data
Multiyear data are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey, Public Use Microdata Sample, which paired up four counties (Orleans/Genesee, Wyoming/Livingston) due to relatively small populations. The American Community Survey combines five years of responses 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 first quarter.
Asian | Black or African American | Latino or Hispanic | White | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NYS | 6.9 | 6.8 | 6.6 | 3.4 | |||||||||||||||
NYS (excluding NYC) | 9.0 | 8.2 | 9.8 | 7.4 | |||||||||||||||
Region | 2.7 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 2.0 | |||||||||||||||
Monroe | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.1 | |||||||||||||||
Surrounding Counties | 2.7 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 2.0 | |||||||||||||||
Ontario/Yates | 2.7 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 2.2 | |||||||||||||||
Orleans/Genesee | 1.6 | 1.3 | 2.6 | 1.8 | |||||||||||||||
Wayne/Seneca | 5.0 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 1.9 | |||||||||||||||
Wyoming/Livingston | 2.8 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | |||||||||||||||
Monroe County Local Areas |
Notes: The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African-American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic). So the totals for these categories cannot be added together, as people show up in both a racial and ethnic group.
Asian | Black or African American | Latino or Hispanic | White | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NYS | $607,378 | $446,529 | $439,023 | $323,133 | |||||||||||||||
NYS (excluding NYC) | $712,467 | $530,015 | $569,903 | $756,549 | |||||||||||||||
Region | $207,528 | $102,224 | $136,223 | $162,135 | |||||||||||||||
Monroe | $203,653 | $102,020 | $133,131 | $175,080 | |||||||||||||||
Surrounding Counties | $230,556 | $105,204 | $151,787 | $147,592 | |||||||||||||||
Ontario/Yates | $240,219 | $146,358 | $118,237 | $177,719 | |||||||||||||||
Orleans/Genesee | $145,830 | $119,955 | $141,454 | $123,861 | |||||||||||||||
Wayne/Seneca | $340,544 | $93,439 | $163,172 | $139,487 | |||||||||||||||
Wyoming/Livingston | $139,927 | $102,753 | $172,051 | $142,384 | |||||||||||||||
Monroe County Local Areas |
Notes: Figures are in constant 2016 Dollars.



INDICATORS - Grouped by Topic | REGIONAL VALUE | YEAR | NYS COMPARISON | TREND | REGION |
---|---|---|---|---|
Median Home Value | $151,405 | 2017-21 |
1
![]() |
1
Increasing
|
Median Rental Prices | $936 | 2017-21 |
3
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|
Housing Affordability for Homeowners | 2.3 | 2017-21 |
3
![]() |
0
Maintaining
|
Housing Affordability for Homeowners by Race/Ethnicity | 2017-21 | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | |
Overall Housing Cost Burden | 28% | 2017-21 |
3
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|
Housing Affordability for Renters | 32% | 2017-21 |
3
![]() |
10 Not Applicable* |
Rent Burdened Households | 48% | 2017-21 |
3
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|
Housing Affordability for Renters by Race/Ethnicity | 2017-21 | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | |
Homeownership Rate | 68% | 2017-21 |
3
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|
Homeownership Rate by Race/Ethnicity | 2017-21 | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | |
Vacant Housing Units | 9% | 2017-21 |
3
![]() |
1
Increasing
|
Homeless Persons | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* |


