Cost of Living in Massena, NY

Population 10,234 · New York · Data vintage 2023

40
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Massena 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. A poverty rate near 24% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Located 145 miles northeast of Syracuse, Massena is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 21% lower than Syracuse's $125,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 33
Rent 52

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

About the Cost of Living in Massena

The median home value in Massena is $99,200 — 67% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $680/month, 48% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $48,810/year is 35% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.6%, 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 54.6°F and lows of 33.6°F. Overall, Massena has a cost of living index of 40 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 60% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$99,200
67% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$112,795
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$680/mo
48% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.2x
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 58.9%
Renter-occupied 41.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$680
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,294/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
18.5 min
31% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.3%
Carpooled
9.9%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
4.3%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
5.7%

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
$48,810
35% below avg
Per Capita Income
$33,264
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
37% above avg
Poverty Rate
24.5%
Labor Force Participation
55.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.3%
Graduate degree 11.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.5
Male median age 41.5
Female median age 47.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
54.6°F
Avg Low
33.6°F
Annual Precip
33.9"
23° 45° 68° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 252838546876817971584532
Low °F 6719324453585648372716
Precip" 2.111.582.042.913.143.713.463.363.503.432.592.09

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
2,599
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Massena, NY?

Massena has a cost index of 40 (100 = national average). It is 60% below the national average.

What is average rent in Massena, NY?

The median gross rent in Massena is $680 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Massena?

The median home value in Massena is $99,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Massena?

The median household income in Massena is $48,810 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Massena, NY?

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

Is Massena, NY affordable?

Yes, Massena is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 40 — about 60% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Massena?

Massena has average high temperatures of 54.6°F and average lows of 33.6°F. Annual precipitation is 33.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Massena at a Glance

Population
10,234
Median Income
$48,810
Home Value
$99,200
Median Rent
$680/mo
Unemployment
6.6%
Avg High Temp
54.6°F
Sales Tax
8.5%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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