If you work in Rochester but want a quieter home base, Monroe County’s suburbs give you short drives, varied price points, and easy access to parks and trails. Many commutes here run around 20 minutes, so you can choose based on budget, school district outcomes, or lifestyle and still keep your drive manageable. In this guide, you’ll compare commute times, home values, district-level graduation rates, and nearby amenities across key suburbs. Let’s dive in.
How to choose a commuter-friendly suburb
- Know the baseline. The average one-way commute in Monroe County is about 20 minutes, which is short by national standards. You can use this as a benchmark when comparing towns across the county according to county-level ACS data.
- Read ACS numbers the right way. “Mean travel time to work” shows typical one-way time based on resident surveys. It is best for comparing places, not for timing a trip to a specific employer during rush hour.
- Compare home values carefully. ACS “median value of owner-occupied units” reflects a five-year sample. Day-to-day listing prices can run higher or lower. Use ACS for structure and relative tiers, then pair it with current listing data when you get serious about a neighborhood.
- Use school outcomes as one input. New York State Education Department (NYSED) graduation rates help you compare district-level outcomes. Always verify the school district for a specific address before you write it into your plan.
- Think about daily life, not just the drive. The Erie Canalway Trail connects Pittsford, Fairport, and Rochester, and Monroe County’s park system adds year-round recreation. If you want trails, waterfront, or large green spaces, factor those in from the start.
Best Monroe County picks for Rochester commuters
Pittsford
If you want quick access to Rochester and the canal corridor, Pittsford delivers. The ACS mean travel time to work is 19.0 minutes and the ACS median value for owner-occupied homes is $389,100 per QuickFacts. Pittsford Central School District posts a 4-year graduation rate near 98 percent per NYSED. You also get the Erie Canal village center and easy trail miles between Rochester and Fairport along the Empire State Trail.
Perinton and the Village of Fairport
Perinton’s ACS mean travel time sits at 20.7 minutes and the ACS median owner value is $310,200 per QuickFacts. Fairport Central School District reports a 4-year graduation rate near 95 percent according to NYSED data. The canalfront village, shops, and trail access offer a balanced lifestyle with an easy commute to central Rochester.
Penfield
Penfield’s ACS mean travel time is 20.3 minutes and its ACS median owner value is $291,500. Penfield Central School District reports a 4-year graduation rate near 92 percent per NYSED data. You’ll find quick connections to I-490 and I-590 and a range of established neighborhoods near retail at the Four Corners.
Webster
Webster’s ACS mean travel time comes in at 21.0 minutes and the ACS median owner value is $269,000 per QuickFacts. Webster Central School District shows a 4-year graduation rate near 93 percent on NYSED reports. The area offers Lake Ontario access, parks, and a mix of older and newer subdivisions.
Henrietta
Henrietta is one of the county’s quickest commutes with an ACS mean travel time of 17.6 minutes and an ACS median owner value of $223,700 per QuickFacts. Rush-Henrietta Central School District reports a 4-year graduation rate near 90 percent on NYSED. Proximity to I-390 and I-590 and major employment corridors makes day-to-day driving simple.
Irondequoit
Irondequoit pairs short city access with lake and bay recreation. The ACS mean travel time is about 19.6 minutes and the ACS median owner value is $182,500. East Irondequoit CSD shows a 4-year graduation rate near 83 percent per NYSED data. If you value waterfront recreation and quick trips to downtown, this is a practical option.
Greece
Greece offers broad housing choice at approachable price tiers. The ACS mean travel time runs about 20 to 20.5 minutes and the ACS median owner value is about $190,300 per QuickFacts. Greece Central School District reports a 4-year graduation rate near 90 percent. Expect a range of subdivision styles along the I-490 and Route 104 corridors.
Gates and Chili
Gates shows one of the shortest ACS mean commutes at about 17.5 minutes and an ACS median owner value of $170,500 per QuickFacts. The Gates-Chili Central School District reports a 4-year graduation rate near 88 percent. With quick I-490 access and competitive pricing, this corridor fits buyers who want a simple drive and value.
Mendon
Mendon trades a longer ACS mean commute of 27.2 minutes for larger lots and a rural feel. The ACS median owner value is $388,700. Depending on the address, you may be in Pittsford or Honeoye Falls–Lima district boundaries, so confirm the assignment early in your search. The standout amenity is Mendon Ponds Park, the county’s largest park and a year-round outdoor draw within the Monroe County system.
Ogden, Spencerport, and Hilton
Northwest of Rochester, Ogden posts an ACS median owner value near $235,200 and a mean commute around 19.5 minutes. The Village of Spencerport shows an ACS median owner value near $188,400 and a mean commute about 20.6 minutes, while Hilton’s village median value is about $178,500 with a mean commute near 23.7 minutes. These areas often appeal to buyers seeking village main streets and attainable pricing with reasonable drive times.
Quick comparison at a glance
| Suburb | ACS mean commute | ACS median owner value | Primary district and 4-year grad rate | Notable amenity or corridor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsford | 19.0 min | $389,100 | Pittsford CSD, ~98% | Erie Canal village, I-490, Empire State Trail |
| Perinton/Fairport | 20.7 min | $310,200 | Fairport CSD, ~95% | Canalfront village, trail to Rochester |
| Penfield | 20.3 min | $291,500 | Penfield CSD, ~92% | I-490/I-590 access, Four Corners |
| Webster | 21.0 min | $269,000 | Webster CSD, ~93% | Lake Ontario access, Webster Park |
| Henrietta | 17.6 min | $223,700 | Rush-Henrietta CSD, ~90% | I-390/I-590, near job centers |
| Irondequoit | ~19.6 min | $182,500 | East Irondequoit CSD, ~83% | Lake and bay recreation |
| Greece | ~20–20.5 min | ~$190,300 | Greece CSD, ~90% | I-490, Route 104 corridors |
| Gates | ~17.5 min | $170,500 | Gates-Chili CSD, ~88% | I-490 access, value-focused |
| Mendon | 27.2 min | $388,700 | Pittsford or HF–L (varies) | Mendon Ponds Park |
Notes: Commute times and values are ACS 5-year estimates for comparability. District outcomes are NYSED reported graduation rates. Always verify district boundaries by address.
Transit and driving tips
- Highways to know: I-490 connects east and west suburbs to downtown. I-590 links Brighton, Penfield, and Henrietta. I-390 serves the south and west corridors.
- Park-and-ride and bus service: RTS provides countywide bus service, though suburban frequency varies and many trips are car dominant. Local advocacy groups outline recent service changes and on-demand pilots for context in their transit coverage.
- Trail connections: If you bike or run, the Rochester to Fairport segment of the Empire State Trail is a standout amenity that lines up with several east-side neighborhoods.
How to narrow your search
- Set a commute threshold. Decide your max one-way time, then favor towns at or under that number.
- Lock a budget range. Use ACS medians to spot towns in your tier, then monitor current listings to refine expectations.
- Pick 2 or 3 lifestyle must-haves. Think trail access, village center, parks, or larger lots, and use that to break ties.
- Verify the school district by address. District lines can cross town boundaries, especially in Mendon and similar edges.
Ready to compare homes that fit your commute, budget, and lifestyle? Tap our local expertise and MLS-accurate tools to move with confidence. Connect with the team at Griffith Realty Group to start a focused, data-informed search.
FAQs
What is the average commute time in Monroe County?
- The county’s average one-way commute is about 20 minutes based on ACS data, which is short compared to many metros.
Which Monroe County suburbs have the shortest typical commutes to Rochester?
- Gates and Henrietta are among the shortest based on ACS mean travel times, with Pittsford also posting a quick average.
How do ACS home values compare with today’s listing prices?
- ACS medians reflect a five-year sample of owner-occupied units, so current listing prices can differ; use ACS for structure, then check live listings during your home search.
Which suburbs show strong district-level outcomes?
- NYSED reports high graduation rates for districts like Pittsford and Fairport, with Penfield and Webster also posting solid district outcomes.
Are there non-driving options for commuting to Rochester?
- RTS runs bus service across the county, but many suburban commutes remain car dominant; frequency and convenience vary by route.
