Cost of Living in Fairmount, NY

Population 9,998 · New York · Data vintage 2023

71
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Fairmount offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $173,000 — costs less than 2.1 times median household income of $82,968, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.7% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 5 miles west of Syracuse, Fairmount falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 39% higher than Syracuse's $125,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 57
Rent 93

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

About the Cost of Living in Fairmount

The median home value in Fairmount is $173,400 — 43% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,226/month, 7% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $82,968/year is 11% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.7%, 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 57.6°F and lows of 39.4°F, with about 127.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Fairmount has a cost of living index of 71 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$173,400
43% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$935,767
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,226/mo
7% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.8x
Favors buying
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 80.2%
Renter-occupied 19.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,226
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,840/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
22.6 min
16% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.9%
Carpooled
7.6%
Public transit
1.3%
Walked
0.6%
Work from home
9.5%

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
$82,968
11% above avg
Per Capita Income
$41,298
Unemployment Rate
1.7%
64% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Labor Force Participation
67.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.3%
Graduate degree 17.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.7
Male median age 38.2
Female median age 42.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.6°F
Avg Low
39.4°F
Annual Precip
39.9"
Annual Snowfall
127.8"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323442566977828073604837
Low °F 171825364757626053423324
Precip" 2.582.463.043.483.423.563.863.703.383.893.233.28
Snow" 34.030.319.83.00.10.00.00.00.00.29.830.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 40 — Good
75.6%
Good air days/yr
258
Max AQI recorded
177
PM2.5 days
184
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fairmount, NY?

Fairmount has a cost index of 71 (100 = national average). It is 29% below the national average.

What is average rent in Fairmount, NY?

The median gross rent in Fairmount is $1,226 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fairmount?

The median home value in Fairmount is $173,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Fairmount?

The median household income in Fairmount is $82,968 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fairmount, NY?

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

Is Fairmount, NY affordable?

Yes, Fairmount is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 71 — about 29% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Fairmount?

Fairmount has average high temperatures of 57.6°F and average lows of 39.4°F. Annual precipitation is 39.9". Average annual snowfall is 127.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Fairmount at a Glance

Population
9,998
Median Income
$82,968
Home Value
$173,400
Median Rent
$1,226/mo
Unemployment
1.7%
Avg High Temp
57.6°F
Sales Tax
8.5%
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