Cost of Living in Lake Carmel, NY

Population 8,090 · New York · Data vintage 2023

115
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Lake Carmel a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $358,000. An unemployment rate of 2.8% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 25 miles north of Stamford, Lake Carmel falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 42% lower than Stamford's $614,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 117
Rent 113

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

About the Cost of Living in Lake Carmel

The median home value in Lake Carmel is $357,500 — 17% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,479/month, 13% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $121,402/year is 63% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.8%, 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 59.8°F and lows of 39.5°F. Overall, Lake Carmel has a cost of living index of 115 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 15% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$357,500
17% above avg
Median Rent
$1,479/mo
13% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.1x
Favors renting
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 86.8%
Renter-occupied 13.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,479
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,093/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
42.6 min
58% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.6%
Carpooled
12.8%
Public transit
3.7%
Work from home
8.9%

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
$121,402
63% above avg
Per Capita Income
$48,205
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
42% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Labor Force Participation
70.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.2%
Graduate degree 15.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.4
Male median age 43.6
Female median age 37.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.8°F
Avg Low
39.5°F
Annual Precip
48"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 363947596978828074625141
Low °F 182027374656626052413124
Precip" 3.062.693.893.743.784.484.464.624.814.483.784.24

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 32 — Good
95.4%
Good air days/yr
140
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
350
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lake Carmel, NY?

Lake Carmel has a cost index of 115 (100 = national average). It is 15% above the national average.

What is average rent in Lake Carmel, NY?

The median gross rent in Lake Carmel is $1,479 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lake Carmel?

The median home value in Lake Carmel is $357,500 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Lake Carmel?

The median household income in Lake Carmel is $121,402 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lake Carmel, NY?

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

Is Lake Carmel, NY affordable?

Lake Carmel is above average in cost of living, with an index of 115 — about 15% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Lake Carmel?

Lake Carmel has average high temperatures of 59.8°F and average lows of 39.5°F. Annual precipitation is 48". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Lake Carmel at a Glance

Population
8,090
Median Income
$121,402
Home Value
$357,500
Median Rent
$1,479/mo
Unemployment
2.8%
Avg High Temp
59.8°F
Sales Tax
8.5%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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