U
pstate New York's real estate market is thriving, with the Rochester area emerging as one of the most competitive in the country. According to a recent report from the National Association of Realtors, Monroe County, where Rochester is located, ranked fifth nationwide for "market hotness" in March. This metric combines buyer demand with housing supply indicators like time on market and online listing activity.

    Monroe County outpaced all other New York counties, ranking highest among over 1,600 US counties analyzed. Several other upstate areas also made the national top 100, including Broome County (23rd) and Livingston County (27th). Nearby Ontario and Tompkins counties also posted strong showings.

    The "hotness" index measures local housing dynamics by combining median days on market with listing page view activity. Homes in the Rochester area are drawing high online interest and selling quickly, outperforming many other parts of the country. Geneseo, a town known for its scenic settings and state university, also ranked highly.

    While Onondaga County (Syracuse) came in lower at 531 nationally, it still placed within the top 25 in New York, indicating steady regional demand. The trend suggests that smaller metro areas in New York are gaining traction due to affordability challenges in larger cities. A recent analysis from Redfin named Fairport, a suburb outside of Rochester, as one of 2025's hottest neighborhoods.

    New York state remains the top contender for hottest real estate markets, with four of the nation's fastest-selling housing markets since January 2025.