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 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.
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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | 4.4 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3.0 |
NYS | 7.0 | 6.8 | 6.7 | 3.4 |
NYS (excluding NYC) | 8.8 | 7.9 | 9.9 | 7.3 |
Region | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.0 |
Monroe | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.0 |
Surrounding Counties | 2.2 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 1.9 |
Ontario/Yates | 2.5 | 3.4 | 2.3 | 2.3 |
Orleans/Genesee | 2.1 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 1.7 |
Wayne/Seneca | 1.9 | 1.9 | 3.0 | 1.9 |
Wyoming/Livingston | 3.0 | 1.5 | 2.4 | 1.9 |
Rochester | 1.5 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 1.9 |
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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | $429,927 | $166,662 | $209,260 | $228,113 |
NYS | $567,302 | $413,142 | $403,102 | $303,985 |
NYS (excluding NYC) | $645,178 | $478,770 | $521,052 | $681,068 |
Region | $153,470 | $80,514 | $95,960 | $135,036 |
Monroe | $148,846 | $78,809 | $90,067 | $135,564 |
Surrounding Counties | $180,032 | $97,270 | $106,100 | $134,402 |
Ontario/Yates | $233,797 | $127,703 | $96,358 | $169,251 |
Orleans/Genesee | $206,611 | $88,568 | $105,772 | $115,369 |
Wayne/Seneca | $123,414 | $97,110 | $126,758 | $127,109 |
Wyoming/Livingston | $133,006 | $77,463 | $107,082 | $127,831 |
Rochester | $65,027 | $67,164 | $66,743 | $95,519 |
Notes: Figures are in constant 2016 Dollars.



INDICATORS - Grouped by Topic | REGIONAL VALUE | YEAR | NYS COMPARISON | TREND | REGION |
---|---|---|---|---|
Median Home Value | $139,622 | 2015-19 |
1
![]() |
0
Maintaining
|
Median Rental Prices | $878 | 2015-19 |
3
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|
Housing Affordability for Homeowners | 2.3 | 2015-19 |
3
![]() |
0
Maintaining
|
Housing Affordability for Homeowners by Race/Ethnicity | 2015-19 | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | |
Overall Housing Cost Burden | 29% | 2015-19 |
3
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|
Housing Affordability for Renters | 33% | 2015-19 |
3
![]() |
10 Not Applicable* |
Rent Burdened Households | 49% | 2015-19 |
3
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|
Housing Affordability for Renters by Race/Ethnicity | 2015-19 | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | |
Homeownership Rate | 68% | 2015-19 |
3
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|
Homeownership Rate by Race/Ethnicity | 2015-19 | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | |
Vacant Housing Units | 10% | 2015-19 |
3
![]() |
1
Increasing
|
Homeless Persons | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* |


