June 12, 2025
When you think “hot real estate,” you probably picture luxury condos in Manhattan or brownstones in Brooklyn — not a quiet suburb like Fairport or a mid-sized city like Rochester. But this spring, that script flipped.
According to the National Association of Realtors, Monroe County — home to Rochester — ranked #5 nationwide for market “hotness,” outranking every other county in New York State by a landslide.
That means homes there are selling quickly and drawing a ton of online attention. For context, this data comes from analyzing over 1,600 U.S. counties.
And it’s not just Monroe County. Broome County (Binghamton), Livingston (Finger Lakes), Ontario (Canandaigua), Tompkins (Ithaca), and Tioga County are all making serious waves in the national rankings too.
These areas are showing up in the top 100 hottest markets across the U.S.
So what’s behind the shift?
It’s simple — affordability meets demand. Buyers are getting priced out of NYC and other major metros, and they’re turning to smaller markets that offer lower costs and a better pace of life.
These upstate areas still have charm, good schools, walkable neighborhoods, and outdoor amenities. And compared to the city, your dollar goes a whole lot further.
Take Fairport, a suburb just 20 minutes from Rochester — Redfin just ranked it one of the hottest neighborhoods in the entire country for 2025. That’s no small feat.
Even Syracuse’s Onondaga County, which ranked lower nationally at No. 531, still landed in New York's top 25 — a sign that steady buyer interest isn’t just a fluke.
The takeaway? Upstate is officially on the map — not just as an alternative, but as a top contender.
If you’re an investor, broker, or first-time buyer who’s been laser-focused on NYC, it may be time to widen your scope.
Disclaimer: This content is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as financial, tax, legal, or insurance advice.
