Cost of Living in Dunkirk, NY
Population 12,597 · New York · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Dunkirk a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $91,000. A poverty rate near 25% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Dunkirk is about 35 miles southwest of Buffalo, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 40% lower than Buffalo's $152,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Dunkirk
The median home value in Dunkirk is $91,200 — 70% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $905/month, 31% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,003/year is 34% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.6%, 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 57.5°F and lows of 40.0°F. Overall, Dunkirk has a cost of living index of 45 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 55% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 34 | 35 | 43 | 55 | 67 | 76 | 80 | 79 | 72 | 61 | 49 | 39 |
| Low °F | 19 | 19 | 25 | 35 | 46 | 56 | 61 | 60 | 53 | 44 | 34 | 27 |
| Precip" | 1.66 | 1.21 | 1.73 | 2.78 | 3.08 | 2.70 | 3.65 | 3.30 | 3.55 | 3.86 | 3.09 | 2.38 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Dunkirk, NY?
Dunkirk has a cost index of 45 (100 = national average). It is 55% below the national average.
What is average rent in Dunkirk, NY?
The median gross rent in Dunkirk is $905 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Dunkirk?
The median home value in Dunkirk is $91,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Dunkirk?
The median household income in Dunkirk is $49,003 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Dunkirk, NY?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Dunkirk is 8.5%. The New York state income tax top rate is 10.9%.
Is Dunkirk, NY affordable?
Yes, Dunkirk is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 45 — about 55% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Dunkirk?
Dunkirk has average high temperatures of 57.5°F and average lows of 40.0°F. Annual precipitation is 33". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Dunkirk at a Glance
- Population
- 12,597
- Median Income
- $49,003
- Home Value
- $91,200
- Median Rent
- $905/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.6%
- Avg High Temp
- 57.5°F
- Sales Tax
- 8.5%
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