Why Live in Upper Falls
Upper Falls, about 1 mile north of Downtown Rochester, blends historic architecture, walkability and access to parks, river views and downtown conveniences. The neighborhood features Colonial Revival and Craftsman homes, many dating to the early 1900s, with details like clapboard siding, shutters and covered porches. Prices run from the upper $20,000s to the lower $200,000s, with a median in the lower $80,000s, making the area attractive to renters, investors and buyers seeking updated single‑family homes. Most residences sit along sidewalk‑lined streets, often with modest yards and on‑street or driveway parking, and many properties have been converted into multifamily housing. Families are served by the Rochester City School District’s school choice program, including the local Abraham Lincoln School No. 22 for younger students and citywide secondary schools like World of Inquiry School No. 5. Outdoor options include High Falls Terrace Park for waterfall views, Baden Park and Don Samuel Torres Park for play and sports, and the Genesee Riverway Trail for jogging and cycling along a 24‑mile river route leading to Maplewood Park’s pickleball courts, fishing spots and rose garden. Upper Falls also has a mix of convenience stores, fast‑casual restaurants and local fixtures like Tops Friendly Market and the Coca‑Cola Factory, while the Genesee Brew House provides rooftop views, craft beer and bar bites. Downtown expands the dining and entertainment scene with destinations such as Ugly Duck Coffee, Tapas 177, Branca Midtown and Abilene Bar and Lounge. Transit is straightforward thanks to walkable streets, bike‑friendly routes and RTS bus stops, with North Clinton Avenue offering a direct connection to downtown, Interstate 490 and Amtrak at the Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station. Rochester’s events calendar adds more to look forward to, including the Lilac Festival, International Jazz Festival and Fringe Festival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Upper Falls a good place to live?
Upper Falls is a good place to live, receiving 3.0 stars from its residents. Upper Falls is considered fairly walkable and bikeable with good transit options. Upper Falls has 9 parks for recreational activities. It is fairly dense in population with 11.2 people per acre and a median age of 33. The average household income is $38,872 which is below the national average. College graduates make up 7.4% of residents. A majority of residents in Upper Falls are renters, with 83.8% of residents renting and 16.2% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Upper Falls can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Upper Falls neighborhood guide.
Is Upper Falls, NY a safe neighborhood?
Upper Falls, NY is less safe than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 6 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Upper Falls?
The median home price in Upper Falls is $87,500. If you put a 20% down payment of $17,500 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.38%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $440 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $19K a year to afford the median home price in Upper Falls. Learn how much home you can afford with our
Home Affordability Calculator. The average household income in Upper Falls is $39K.
What are the best public schools in Upper Falls?
The best public schools that serve Upper Falls are:
What are the best private schools in Upper Falls?
The best private schools that serve Upper Falls are:
- Aquinas Institute has an A- Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 11:1 and an average review score of 3.9.
- Archangel School has a student teacher ratio of 5:1 and an average review score of 4.6.
- Nazareth Elementary has a student teacher ratio of 10:1 and an average review score of 3.5.
What are the most popular zip codes in Upper Falls, Rochester, NY?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Upper Falls, Rochester, NY?
Home Trends in Upper Falls, NY
On average, homes in Upper Falls, Rochester sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Upper Falls, Rochester over the last 12 months is $81,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$81,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$82,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$76
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
20
Median List Price
$87,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
9%
