Cost of Living in Ballston Spa, NY

Population 5,080 · New York · Data vintage 2023

88
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Ballston Spa a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $282,000. An unemployment rate of 2.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 25 miles north of Albany, Ballston Spa falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 26% higher than Albany's $223,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 92
Rent 82

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Ballston Spa

The median home value in Ballston Spa is $281,600 — 8% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,075/month, 18% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $82,341/year is 10% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. New York's top state income tax rate is 10.9% and the combined sales tax is 8.5%. The climate averages highs of 59.4°F and lows of 39.4°F, with about 59.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Ballston Spa has a cost of living index of 88 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 12% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$281,600
8% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$412,138
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,075/mo
18% below avg
Zillow Rent
$2,059/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.8x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$965
1 BR
$1,051
2 BR
$1,302
3 BR
$1,619
4 BR
$1,813
Owner-occupied 60.6%
Renter-occupied 39.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,075
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,689/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
25.8 min
4% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.5%
Carpooled
5.3%
Public transit
5.0%
Work from home
15.2%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 10.9%
Total Sales Tax 8.5%
State rate 4.0%
Avg local rate 4.5%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$82,341
10% above avg
Per Capita Income
$44,059
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
44% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Labor Force Participation
76.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.6%
Graduate degree 17.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.2
Male median age 42.4
Female median age 41.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.4°F
Avg Low
39.4°F
Annual Precip
40.7"
Annual Snowfall
59.2"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 333645597179848274624938
Low °F 161826374857626153413223
Precip" 2.602.283.093.113.414.054.553.763.733.852.993.26
Snow" 15.613.712.01.60.10.00.00.00.00.32.613.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 31 — Good
96.4%
Good air days/yr
122
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
365
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

90%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
4,087
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Ballston Spa, NY?

Ballston Spa has a cost index of 88 (100 = national average). It is 12% below the national average.

What is average rent in Ballston Spa, NY?

The median gross rent in Ballston Spa is $1,075 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Ballston Spa?

The median home value in Ballston Spa is $281,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Ballston Spa?

The median household income in Ballston Spa is $82,341 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Ballston Spa, NY?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ballston Spa is 8.5%. The New York state income tax top rate is 10.9%.

Is Ballston Spa, NY affordable?

Yes, Ballston Spa is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 88 — about 12% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Ballston Spa?

Ballston Spa has average high temperatures of 59.4°F and average lows of 39.4°F. Annual precipitation is 40.7". Average annual snowfall is 59.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Ballston Spa at a Glance

Population
5,080
Median Income
$82,341
Home Value
$281,600
Median Rent
$1,075/mo
Unemployment
2.7%
Avg High Temp
59.4°F
Sales Tax
8.5%
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