This New York county is one of the hottest places to move to in the US, says new study

It turns out that “moving to Rochester” isn’t just something your college roommate said on a whim—it’s a winning strategy. According to a new report from the National Association of Realtors, Monroe County (home to Rochester) ranked as the country's seventh hottest real estate market this spring. That’s out of more than 1,600 counties nationwide.

The “hotness” ranking, which blends buyer demand with housing supply data like time on market and online views, crowned Monroe the most competitive housing market in New York State by a mile. And it’s not just Rochester. Several other Upstate pockets made the national top 100, including Broome County (Binghamton) at No. 23 and Livingston County (home to scenic Geneseo) at No. 27.

So what’s making the Rochester area such a magnetic draw? In a word: affordability. While prices have jumped more than 20% in the past year, the median home still goes for around $225,000, which is pennies compared to New York City. But don’t mistake low prices for low stakes. The market is ruthless. Bidding wars are routine. Contingencies? Forget it. The average Rochester home is under contract in less than 10 days, and listings often receive dozens of offers.

Zillow recently ranked Rochester hotter than San Francisco, Boston and New York on its Market Heat Index, clocking in at 146.5 (anything above 70 signals a strong seller’s market). Redfin reports that 68% of local homes sell in bidding wars, with average offers 8.7% above asking.

With inventory tighter than a jar of Wegmans jam (just 913 homes were for sale in March), buyers are turning to older properties, like charming American Foursquares and colonials. Many newcomers are priced-out city dwellers, but locals and investors are also fueling demand.

The downside? Builders aren’t rushing in to save the day. Low margins and high costs are stalling new construction, even as buyers scramble for options. Still, experts say Rochester’s boom is far from over—and the smart money might just be on making a move before the rest of the country catches on.