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.

Housing in Monroe County was considered affordable in 2015-19 for all racial and ethnic groups, with all ethnicities below 2.5. All racial/ethnic groups had more affordable housing in our region than compared to their respective groups in the state or nation. The affordability ratios for Hispanic homeowners (2.4) was slightly higher than for African American, Asian and white homeowners (2.3, 2.2 and 2.0 respectively).

In 2015-19, Asian and white residents had the highest median home values in Monroe County, at about $148,800 and $135,600 respectively. African Americans had the lowest median home values in the county at $78,800, while Hispanic home values were at $90,100. Although there are similar disparities at the national level, the differences between ethnic groups were less in Monroe County. The City of Rochester had a smaller discrepancy between races, though lower values overall; all median home values were within the range of $65,000 to $95,500 in 2015-19.

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.

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.