Cost of Living in New York
New York has 66 cities with cost-of-living data on CompareLiving, drawn from US Census, BEA, HUD, and EPA sources. Prices range from Middletown (cost index 92.5) to Long Beach (113.3), with a statewide average around 100.3 versus the US baseline of 100. Median rent is lowest in Jamestown at $755/mo and highest in Plainview at $3,026/mo.
New York at a Glance
Cities Tracked
66
with census data
Avg Cost Index
100.3
US avg = 100
Avg Median Rent
$1,769
per month
Avg Household Income
$98,903
annual median
Most & Least Affordable Cities
Most Affordable
| City | Cost Index | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Middletown | 92.5 | $1,614 |
| Syracuse | 93.5 | $998 |
| Buffalo | 94.0 | $989 |
| Cheektowaga | 94.0 | $1,025 |
| Albany | 96.6 | $1,178 |
Most Expensive
| City | Cost Index | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Long Beach | 113.3 | $2,377 |
| New York | 113.0 | $1,779 |
| New City | 113.0 | $2,395 |
| Albany | 96.6 | $1,178 |
| Schenectady | 96.6 | $1,109 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100)
Taxes in New York
State Income Tax
10.90%
Top marginal rate · Tax Foundation 2024
State Sales Tax
4.00%
Statewide base rate · local add-ons may apply
Popular Cities in New York
New York Cities — Full Table
Click columns to sort
| New York | 8,516,202 | 113.0 | $1,779 | $751,700 | $79,713 |
| Buffalo | 276,397 | 94.0 | $989 | $152,300 | $48,050 |
| Rochester | 209,720 | — | $1,039 | $120,600 | $46,628 |
| Yonkers | 209,529 | — | $1,730 | $478,000 | $81,816 |
| Syracuse | 146,211 | 93.5 | $998 | $125,100 | $45,845 |
| Albany | 100,081 | 96.6 | $1,178 | $223,000 | $59,485 |
| New Rochelle | 81,591 | — | $1,830 | $667,300 | $103,813 |
| Cheektowaga | 76,251 | 94.0 | $1,025 | $169,200 | $66,293 |
| Mount Vernon | 72,528 | — | $1,546 | $449,600 | $77,171 |
| Schenectady | 68,521 | 96.6 | $1,109 | $152,000 | $56,398 |
| Utica | 64,440 | — | $907 | $133,400 | $51,513 |
| White Plains | 59,818 | — | $2,151 | $624,100 | $115,586 |
| Hempstead | 58,569 | — | $1,649 | $442,100 | $82,454 |
| Tonawanda Town | 56,973 | — | $1,062 | $199,400 | $76,644 |
| Levittown | 51,557 | — | $2,491 | $564,000 | $139,696 |
| Troy | 51,054 | 96.6 | $1,134 | $192,500 | $57,688 |
| Irondequoit | 50,438 | — | $1,110 | $169,000 | $76,871 |
| Niagara Falls | 48,198 | — | $784 | $104,400 | $48,535 |
| Binghamton | 47,357 | — | $867 | $117,400 | $44,331 |
| West Seneca | 45,329 | — | $1,040 | $215,000 | $75,465 |
| Freeport | 44,102 | — | $1,984 | $479,700 | $118,755 |
| Hicksville | 43,868 | — | $3,005 | $617,100 | $148,008 |
| West Babylon | 43,239 | — | $2,136 | $490,500 | $127,785 |
| Coram | 41,527 | — | $2,529 | $425,300 | $107,159 |
| Valley Stream | 40,278 | — | $1,994 | $605,000 | $127,426 |
| Central Islip | 37,751 | — | $2,106 | $405,000 | $110,166 |
| Brighton | 36,633 | — | $1,272 | $259,300 | $83,723 |
| Kiryas Joel | 36,572 | — | $1,575 | $685,800 | $43,171 |
| Elmont | 36,436 | — | $2,434 | $576,800 | $120,917 |
| Commack | 36,353 | — | $2,396 | $647,000 | $170,375 |
| East Meadow | 35,806 | — | $2,539 | $613,900 | $128,770 |
| Long Beach | 34,741 | 113.3 | $2,377 | $661,500 | $130,795 |
| New City | 34,133 | 113.0 | $2,395 | $618,500 | $174,479 |
| Uniondale | 33,637 | — | $2,570 | $511,300 | $115,037 |
| Baldwin | 33,595 | — | $1,695 | $578,200 | $139,840 |
| Huntington Station | 33,283 | — | $1,867 | $540,400 | $129,121 |
| Spring Valley | 32,995 | — | $1,673 | $351,500 | $56,151 |
| Oceanside | 31,907 | — | $2,118 | $626,700 | $145,282 |
| Rome | 31,795 | — | $871 | $137,200 | $58,857 |
| Ithaca | 31,792 | — | $1,441 | $330,100 | $48,617 |
| Poughkeepsie | 31,778 | — | $1,370 | $259,200 | $60,050 |
| Centereach | 31,501 | — | $2,398 | $471,300 | $127,106 |
| Bay Shore | 31,275 | — | $1,907 | $467,800 | $101,695 |
| Port Chester | 31,162 | — | $1,922 | $563,900 | $99,916 |
| Franklin Square | 30,559 | — | $2,052 | $640,300 | $140,051 |
| North Tonawanda | 30,338 | — | $914 | $184,900 | $66,774 |
| Middletown | 30,227 | 92.5 | $1,614 | $271,000 | $77,174 |
| Harrison | 29,279 | — | $2,585 | $1,001,900 | $153,273 |
| Newburgh | 28,649 | — | $1,363 | $221,100 | $51,006 |
| Saratoga Springs | 28,542 | — | $1,439 | $445,100 | $100,485 |
| Jamestown | 28,401 | — | $755 | $79,100 | $44,878 |
| Glen Cove | 28,101 | — | $2,349 | $654,500 | $91,355 |
| Shirley | 27,807 | — | $2,110 | $390,300 | $105,379 |
| Monsey | 27,787 | — | $1,780 | $829,700 | $49,095 |
| Deer Park | 27,334 | — | $1,882 | $497,900 | $138,950 |
| Lindenhurst | 27,106 | — | $2,099 | $484,800 | $129,033 |
| Ossining | 26,979 | — | $2,108 | $444,200 | $100,997 |
| West Islip | 26,559 | — | $2,613 | $592,700 | $171,045 |
| Auburn | 26,475 | — | $867 | $143,600 | $49,377 |
| Elmira | 26,349 | — | $871 | $88,200 | $43,089 |
| Holbrook | 26,256 | — | $2,427 | $504,100 | $139,116 |
| Plainview | 26,251 | — | $3,026 | $729,100 | $185,531 |
| Rockville Centre | 25,770 | — | $1,790 | $796,100 | $144,516 |
| Medford | 25,681 | — | $2,404 | $444,500 | $128,631 |
| Peekskill | 25,484 | — | $1,895 | $376,800 | $91,042 |
| Dix Hills | 25,042 | — | $2,804 | $891,400 | $219,636 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100) · Income & Rent = US Census ACS
Moving Guides Involving New York
Compare New York cities head-to-head
Use our comparison tool to put any two cities side by side. Or explore national rankings to see how New York cities stack up across the US. For example, New York vs Buffalo.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cost of Living in New York
What is the cost of living in New York?
The average cost of living index across cities in New York is approximately 100.3 (US average = 100), which is slightly above the US average. Median gross rent averages around $1,769/month and median household income averages around $98,903/year.
What are the cheapest cities to live in New York?
The most affordable cities in New York by cost of living index are: 1. Middletown (index 92.5), 2. Syracuse (index 93.5), 3. Buffalo (index 94.0).
What is the median rent in New York?
The average median gross rent across cities in New York is approximately $1,769/month. Rent varies significantly by city and neighborhood — use the city profiles below for specific figures.
What are the income tax rates in New York?
New York's top marginal state income tax rate is 10.90%. This is the highest bracket rate; lower-income earners pay less. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
What is the sales tax in New York?
New York's statewide sales tax rate is 4.00%. Local city and county rates may add to this. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
Is it expensive to move to New York?
New York has a cost of living index of approximately 100.3 and average median rent around $1,769/month. It is somewhat above the US average in cost, so factor that into your relocation budget. Use our moving guides for salary equivalence calculations.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, Tax Foundation · Methodology