Cost of Living in Horseheads, NY

Population 6,494 · New York · Data vintage 2023

61
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Horseheads sits on the smaller end of the New York city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. An unemployment rate of 2.9% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 70 miles southwest of Syracuse, Horseheads is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Housing prices track closely with Syracuse's $125,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 44
Rent 86

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

About the Cost of Living in Horseheads

The median home value in Horseheads is $133,400 — 56% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,126/month, 14% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $59,267/year is 21% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.9%, 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 59.0°F and lows of 37.1°F. Overall, Horseheads has a cost of living index of 61 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$133,400
56% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$208,863
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,126/mo
14% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.9x
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 62.6%
Renter-occupied 37.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,126
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,740/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
17.5 min
35% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.2%
Carpooled
11.8%
Public transit
2.3%
Walked
0.2%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
4.4%

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
$59,267
21% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,512
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
41% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Labor Force Participation
58.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.2%
Graduate degree 11.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 46
Male median age 44.2
Female median age 51.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.0°F
Avg Low
37.1°F
Annual Precip
32.4"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 343645587078828173614939
Low °F 161724344454585749393023
Precip" 1.661.342.392.812.983.503.363.583.473.022.212.04

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
4,084
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Horseheads, NY?

Horseheads has a cost index of 61 (100 = national average). It is 39% below the national average.

What is average rent in Horseheads, NY?

The median gross rent in Horseheads is $1,126 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Horseheads?

The median home value in Horseheads is $133,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Horseheads?

The median household income in Horseheads is $59,267 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Horseheads, NY?

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

Is Horseheads, NY affordable?

Yes, Horseheads is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 61 — about 39% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Horseheads?

Horseheads has average high temperatures of 59.0°F and average lows of 37.1°F. Annual precipitation is 32.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Horseheads at a Glance

Population
6,494
Median Income
$59,267
Home Value
$133,400
Median Rent
$1,126/mo
Unemployment
2.9%
Avg High Temp
59.0°F
Sales Tax
8.5%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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