Cost of Living in Ithaca, NY
Population 31,792 · New York · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
The Ithaca cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $330,000, rents near $1,441 a month. Around 28% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.
Located 45 miles southwest of Syracuse, Ithaca falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 164% higher than Syracuse's $125,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Ithaca
The median home value in Ithaca is $330,100 — 8% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,441/month, 10% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $48,617/year is 35% lower 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 55.2°F and lows of 35.2°F. Overall, Ithaca has a cost of living index of 109 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 9% more 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 | 30 | 33 | 41 | 54 | 67 | 75 | 79 | 77 | 70 | 58 | 46 | 35 |
| Low °F | 13 | 14 | 22 | 33 | 43 | 52 | 56 | 54 | 48 | 38 | 29 | 21 |
| Precip" | 2.67 | 2.71 | 3.30 | 3.82 | 3.62 | 4.19 | 3.69 | 4.04 | 3.52 | 3.60 | 3.32 | 3.18 |
💨 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 Ithaca, NY?
Ithaca has a cost index of 109 (100 = national average). It is 9% above the national average.
What is average rent in Ithaca, NY?
The median gross rent in Ithaca is $1,441 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Ithaca?
The median home value in Ithaca is $330,100 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Ithaca?
The median household income in Ithaca is $48,617 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Ithaca, NY?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ithaca is 8.5%. The New York state income tax top rate is 10.9%.
Is Ithaca, NY affordable?
Ithaca is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 109 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in Ithaca?
Ithaca has average high temperatures of 55.2°F and average lows of 35.2°F. Annual precipitation is 41.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Ithaca at a Glance
- Population
- 31,792
- Median Income
- $48,617
- Home Value
- $330,100
- Median Rent
- $1,441/mo
- Unemployment
- 7.2%
- Avg High Temp
- 55.2°F
- Sales Tax
- 8.5%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
New York Rankings
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