Whether you want to call it by its nickname, “Flower City,” or just by its name, Rochester, NY, is a great destination to move to in the Northeast. With historic museums and plenty of outdoor activities, it’s no wonder Rochester is also home to nearly 210,600 people.
And if you’re considering living in Rochester, there’s four key points to keep in mind. The housing market is somewhat competitive, the median home sale price is $150,100, the average sale price per square foot is $88, and the average rent price for a two-bedroom apartment in Rochester is $1,820.
However, Rochester may not be the right upstate New York town to call home. But don’t worry, we’ve got options to help you find a home. We’ve rounded up a list of 10 of the best Rochester, NY, suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 30-minute drive from the city. Let’s check them out.
#1: North Gates
Median home price: $162,000
Average sale price per square foot: $128
Driving distance from Rochester: 12 minutes
North Gates, NY homes for sale
North Gates, NY apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $162,000, North Gates is the first on our list of Rochester, NY, suburbs. About a 12-minute drive away from downtown Rochester, North Gates is home to roughly 9,500 people. If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to visit Gates Memorial Park.
#2: East Rochester
Median home price: $172,500
Average sale price per square foot: $130
Driving distance from Rochester: 12 minutes
East Rochester, NY homes for sale
East Rochester, NY apartments for rent
The second Rochester suburb on our list is East Rochester. The same distance from Rochester as North Gates, you can walk around the High Falls District in no time. Some popular things to do in East Rochester include checking out one of the parks like Legion Eyer Park, grabbing a meal at one of the many local restaurants, and exploring the quaint stores. When living in this suburb of 6,300 people, you can also spend time strolling through the charming downtown.
#3: Irondequoit
Median home price: $189,500
Average sale price per square foot: $124
Driving distance from Rochester: 15 minutes
Irondequoit, NY homes for sale
Irondequoit, NY apartments for rent
Next up is Irondequoit, just 15 minutes outside of Rochester. From parks and outdoor recreation to shopping, there’s lots of things that make Irondequoit a great place to live. Make sure to visit Irondequoit Bay Park West which has views of the Irondequoit Bay, explore Irondequoit Bay Outlet Pier and Beach where you’ll find views of the bay and Lake Ontario, and check out The White Lady’s Castle.
#4: Greece
Median home price: $192,500
Average sale price per square foot: $122
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,390
Driving distance from Rochester: 15 minutes
Greece, NY homes for sale
Greece, NY apartments for rent
A little more expensive than Irondequoit is Greece, the next suburb on our list. Make sure to check out the parks or go shopping at one of the malls and shopping centers in this Rochester suburb.
#5: Penfield
Median home price: $227,500
Average sale price per square foot: $156
Driving distance from Rochester: 11 minutes
Penfield, NY homes for sale
Penfield, NY apartments for rent
11 minutes away from downtown Rochester is Penfield, another great suburb to consider moving to. Home to 39,400 residents, this town can be a great choice for people looking to remain close to Rochester without living in the city. In Penfield, you can explore the expansive Channing H. Philbrick Park, visit Heritage Park, and check out the downtown area.
#6: Henrietta
Median home price: $252,200
Average sale price per square foot: $168
Driving distance from Rochester: 20 minutes
Henrietta, NY homes for sale
Henrietta, NY apartments for rent
Sixth on the list is another well-known Rochester suburb, Henrietta, where the median home sale price is $252,200. With roughly 47,100 people calling Henrietta home, it’s a great area to consider living in. Make sure to explore Mendon Ponds Park, a 2,500-acre park with ponds and gardens if you move to Henrietta.
#7: Webster
Median home price: $298,500
Average sale price per square foot: $173
Driving distance from Rochester: 20 minutes
Webster, NY homes for sale
Webster, NY apartments for rent
Seventh on our list of Rochester, NY, suburbs is Webster, which is roughly a 20-minute drive into the heart of the city. With a population of close to 45,300, Webster is a great area to live in that’s not nearly as big as Rochester. If you find yourself moving to this suburb, make sure to spend the day at Charles E. Sexton Memorial Park or explore the quaint downtown area.
#8: Pittsford
Median home price: $305,000
Average sale price per square foot: $154
Driving distance from Rochester: 15 minutes
Pittsford, NY homes for sale
Pittsford, NY apartments for rent
Living in Rochester, it’s likely that you’ve heard of Pittsford, the eighth suburb on our list. About 30,600 people live in Pittsford, so you’ll have a fraction of Rochester’s population while remaining only 15 minutes from the city. Living in Pittsford, be sure to grab a meal at one of the restaurants along the historic Erie Canal and stroll along the Erie Canal Heritage Trail.
#9: Perinton
Median home price: $318,000
Average sale price per square foot: $168
Driving distance from Rochester: 15 minutes
Perinton, NY homes for sale
Perinton, NY apartments for rent
Another great place to consider living in that will get you access to downtown Rochester in just about 15 minutes is Perinton. Roughly 47,500 people live in this suburb and there’s always a local business to support in Perinton.
#10: Walworth
Median home price: $319,000
Average sale price per square foot: $156
Driving distance from Rochester: 30 minutes
Walworth, NY homes for sale
Walworth, NY apartments for rent
Claiming the 10th spot on our list of Rochester, NY, suburbs is Walworth. Without traffic, you’ll find yourself in Rochester in roughly 30 minutes. This suburb has a population of 9,300 and you’ll have plenty of activities to explore during your free time.
Methodology: Whether a suburb was under a 30-minute drive from downtown Rochester. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during March 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com March 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
