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Rochester sees 10th-highest jump in home prices in 1st quarter
Rochester saw the country's 10th-largest jump in median home prices in the first quarter of 2026, according to the National Association of Realtors. (Photo by Kevin Oklobzija)
Rochester saw the country's 10th-largest jump in median home prices in the first quarter of 2026, according to the National Association of Realtors. (Photo by Kevin Oklobzija)
Rochester sees 10th-highest jump in home prices in 1st quarter
Listen to this articleThe Rochester metropolitan area saw one of the nation’s largest spikes in home prices in the first quarter of 2026, rising 7.2 percent year over year.
Among the country’s largest 235 markets, only nine cities saw a greater increase in median sales prices, according to data compiled the the National Association of Realtors.
The NAR statistics showed Rochester’s median sales price was $252,800 in the first quarter, when prices are usually lowest compared to spring, summer and fall. For example, the median price in Rochester in Q2 of 2025 was $289,800 and in Q3 was $287,300.
The first-quarter spike is simply a reflection of the area’s ongoing shortage of homes for sale.
“These numbers and Rochester’s position on the list do no surprise me,” said Don Simonetti Jr., president of the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors (GRAR). “From a general perspective, one can argue that Greater Rochester is finally enjoying the price appreciate many like kind northeastern cities and areas have enjoyed for years now.
“The singular factor in the continued spike in home values in our area, however, consistently stems from the egregious lack of inventory.”
The GRAR launched its own initiative, reminaginerochousing.org, in 2023 to combat the inventory shortage. The goal is to initiate conversations with community shareholders and stakeholders in an effort to create more housing.
“Until we make meaningful headway on the inventory front,” Simonetti said, “the supply will continue to be low and the prices will continue to rise.”
Nationwide, NAR data shows Akron, Ohio, had the largest jump in prices in prices in the first quarter (12 percent, to $217,600), followed by Anchorage, Alaska (10.4 percent, to $484,000) and New York’s Capital Region of Albany-Schenectady-Troy (9.3 percent to $331,700).
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