Chili blends suburban conveniences with rural charm
Chili offers a unique mix of suburban and rural living within a short drive of Rochester. A little less than 30,000 people call Chili home, which sprawls across miles of farmland and developing subdivisions. Despite the delicious-sounding name, Chili is pronounced “chai-lie,” a pronunciation quirk historians still argue over to this day. “I highlight the fact that the prices are reasonable, it’s got a good school system, it’s got great shopping and it’s got really close access to all the major expressways,” says Bob Malone, team lead of Bob Malone Homes and an associate broker at Keller Williams with more than 30 years of experience. “It’s close enough to the city to be accessible but it also shares the country.”
Townhouses, subdivisions and farmhouses with acreage
Chili boasts a diverse housing stock, ranging from rural properties with acreage on the outskirts to townhouses and new builds in subdivisions. While some homes date back to the early 1900s, the median year built in Chili is 2015. “There’s a decent amount of new construction, but not as much as we need,” Malone says. “It’s definitely a growing area. It’s good, clean living, with lots of available land.” Colonial-style homes are common, but buyers can also find early 19th-century Nationals and Cape Cods, midcentury ranch-style and split-level houses, and New Traditional homes built within the last decade. Condos and townhouses cost between $150,000 and $300,000. Single-family homes typically range from $200,000 to $400,000, but larger homes and properties with acreage can sell for $450,000 to $700,000.
Public and private school options, plus proximity to universities
Kids can attend schools in the Gates Chili Central School District, a respected school system that earns a B grade from Niche. About 3,500 students are enrolled across four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The district has had several capital improvement projects in recent years, including an $88 million “2025 Future Ready” project to repair and replace failing infrastructure, enhance building safety and add new classroom space by 2032. St. Pius Tenth School, currently unrated by Niche, offers private education for kids in pre-school through fifth grade. Locals are less than 10 miles away from the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology, and Roberts Wesleyan University is based in North Chili.
City and county parks provide ample recreation
Chili has six city parks and several recreational facilities, including a splash pad, nature trails and ADA-accessible kayak launches onto Black Creek and the Genesee River. “Black Creek Park is one of the major county parks, and that’s in Chili,” Malone says. The 1,500-acre green space has miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. During the winter, Black Creek Park becomes the go-to spot for sledding and cross-country skiing. “There’s a great community center and a great senior center,” Malone adds. Mill Creek Golf Club and Morgan’s Crossing, both open to the public, and the private Brook-Lea Country Club are just a few miles away. Boating, fishing and swimming on Lake Ontario are about 20 miles north.
Casual dining and grocery staples line Chili Avenue
Chili Avenue, also known as Route 33A, is lined with familiar fast-food chains and grocery stores, including Aldi and the regionally beloved Wegmans. “It’s a phenomenal grocery store chain, and they’re known for their quality and god service. One of their main [distribution centers] is in Chili,” Malone says. The community’s restaurant mix leans casual with local favorites like The Original Steve’s Diner, Ferrari Pizza Bar and North Chili Family Restaurant. Chili is also within a short drive of major Rochester shopping centers such as The Mall at Greece Ridge and Marketplace Mall.
A short commute to Rochester by car or bus
Residents have easy access to Interstate 490, one of the region’s major highways. Rochester and Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport are about 10 miles away. The airport's close proximity means residents may hear noise from low-flying planes. Most folks drive, but there are a handful of Regional Transit Service (RTS) Monroe bus stops in town with service to Rochester. There are two urgent care centers in town, but the closest emergency room is at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
Black Creek has a history of flooding, and Chili can experience flash flooding during heavy rainfall. The community experienced some flood damage after severe weather in June 2025.
Year-round events bring neighbors together
The annual Chili Summerfest, formerly known as Chi-E-Fest, brings residents together every summer for a night of live music, food and vendors. The senior center hosts a summer concert series, and the town kicks off the holiday season in December with a community craft show, Christmas tree lighting and breakfast with Santa.
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Written By
Leslie Klosterman
