Cost of Living in Menands, NY

Population 4,503 · New York · Data vintage 2023

88
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Menands is a smaller New York community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $79,750 and housing costs ($238,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.2% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Menands is part of the immediate Albany metro area — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Albany's $223,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 78
Rent 104

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

About the Cost of Living in Menands

The median home value in Menands is $237,700 — 22% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,363/month, 4% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $79,750/year is 7% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.2%, 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 59.4°F and lows of 39.4°F, with about 59.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Menands has a cost of living index of 88 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 12% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$237,700
22% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$312,051
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,363/mo
4% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.5x
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 28.2%
Renter-occupied 71.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,363
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,977/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
23.5 min
13% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.0%
Carpooled
1.6%
Public transit
0.8%
Walked
3.5%
Work from home
17.8%

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
$79,750
7% above avg
Per Capita Income
$43,065
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
55% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Labor Force Participation
73.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 29.2%
Graduate degree 16.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 31.9
Male median age 29
Female median age 35.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.4°F
Avg Low
39.4°F
Annual Precip
40.7"
Annual Snowfall
59.2"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 333645597179848274624938
Low °F 161826374857626153413223
Precip" 2.602.283.093.113.414.054.553.763.733.852.993.26
Snow" 15.613.712.01.60.10.00.00.00.00.32.613.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
67.1%
Good air days/yr
186
Max AQI recorded
250
PM2.5 days
115
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Menands, NY?

Menands has a cost index of 88 (100 = national average). It is 12% below the national average.

What is average rent in Menands, NY?

The median gross rent in Menands is $1,363 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Menands?

The median home value in Menands is $237,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Menands?

The median household income in Menands is $79,750 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Menands, NY?

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

Is Menands, NY affordable?

Yes, Menands is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 88 — about 12% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Menands?

Menands has average high temperatures of 59.4°F and average lows of 39.4°F. Annual precipitation is 40.7". Average annual snowfall is 59.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Menands at a Glance

Population
4,503
Median Income
$79,750
Home Value
$237,700
Median Rent
$1,363/mo
Unemployment
2.2%
Avg High Temp
59.4°F
Sales Tax
8.5%
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