Cost of Living in Highland Falls, NY

Population 3,696 · New York · Data vintage 2023

120
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Highland Falls is a smaller New York community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $107,500 and housing costs ($341,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 7.2%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 30 miles north of Yonkers, Highland Falls falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 29% lower than Yonkers' $478,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 112
Rent 132

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

About the Cost of Living in Highland Falls

The median home value in Highland Falls is $340,600 — 12% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,731/month, 32% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $107,500/year is 44% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.2%, above 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 60.0°F and lows of 38.8°F. Overall, Highland Falls has a cost of living index of 120 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$340,600
12% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$411,150
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,731/mo
32% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.4x
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 54.5%
Renter-occupied 45.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,731
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,345/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
25.7 min
5% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.1%
Carpooled
9.8%
Walked
3.9%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
8.6%

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
$107,500
44% above avg
Per Capita Income
$46,274
Unemployment Rate
7.2%
49% above avg
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Labor Force Participation
70.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.3%
Graduate degree 18.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.7
Male median age 39.5
Female median age 42.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
60.0°F
Avg Low
38.8°F
Annual Precip
41"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 353847607179848274625039
Low °F 171827364756615951403123
Precip" 2.442.443.253.503.354.333.304.403.893.683.043.37

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 34 — Good
75.6%
Good air days/yr
185
Max AQI recorded
357
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%
4-Year Graduation Rate
10.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,068
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Highland Falls, NY?

Highland Falls has a cost index of 120 (100 = national average). It is 20% above the national average.

What is average rent in Highland Falls, NY?

The median gross rent in Highland Falls is $1,731 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Highland Falls?

The median home value in Highland Falls is $340,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Highland Falls?

The median household income in Highland Falls is $107,500 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Highland Falls, NY?

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

Is Highland Falls, NY affordable?

Highland Falls is above average in cost of living, with an index of 120 — about 20% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Highland Falls?

Highland Falls has average high temperatures of 60.0°F and average lows of 38.8°F. Annual precipitation is 41". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Highland Falls at a Glance

Population
3,696
Median Income
$107,500
Home Value
$340,600
Median Rent
$1,731/mo
Unemployment
7.2%
Avg High Temp
60.0°F
Sales Tax
8.5%
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