Cost of Living in North Tonawanda, NY

Population 30,338 · New York · Data vintage 2023

64
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Buyers in North Tonawanda can reasonably expect a home to cost less than three years of household income — $185,000 against $66,774 in typical earnings — a ratio that has collapsed to 5:1 or worse in much of the country. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.0% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

North Tonawanda sits roughly 11 miles north of Buffalo — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 21% higher than Buffalo's $152,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 61
Rent 70

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

About the Cost of Living in North Tonawanda

The median home value in North Tonawanda is $184,900 — 39% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $914/month, 30% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $66,774/year is 10% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.0%, 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 56.7°F and lows of 38.8°F. Overall, North Tonawanda has a cost of living index of 64 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 36% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$184,900
39% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$268,279
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$914/mo
30% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,191/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9x
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 68.8%
Renter-occupied 31.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$914
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,528/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
21.6 min
20% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
14.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.7%
Carpooled
5.3%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
3.3%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
14.0%

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
$66,774
10% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,728
Unemployment Rate
6.0%
25% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Labor Force Participation
64.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.1%
Graduate degree 9.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.6
Male median age 41
Female median age 44.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
56.7°F
Avg Low
38.8°F
Annual Precip
33"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323341556876817973604737
Low °F 171725344656616052423224
Precip" 2.271.772.123.193.032.883.372.623.273.232.782.44

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 33 — Good
94.1%
Good air days/yr
97
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
356
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

81%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
3,371
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in North Tonawanda, NY?

North Tonawanda has a cost index of 64 (100 = national average). It is 36% below the national average.

What is average rent in North Tonawanda, NY?

The median gross rent in North Tonawanda is $914 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in North Tonawanda?

The median home value in North Tonawanda is $184,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in North Tonawanda?

The median household income in North Tonawanda is $66,774 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in North Tonawanda, NY?

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

Is North Tonawanda, NY affordable?

Yes, North Tonawanda is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 64 — about 36% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in North Tonawanda?

North Tonawanda has average high temperatures of 56.7°F and average lows of 38.8°F. Annual precipitation is 33". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

North Tonawanda at a Glance

Population
30,338
Median Income
$66,774
Home Value
$184,900
Median Rent
$914/mo
Unemployment
6.0%
Avg High Temp
56.7°F
Sales Tax
8.5%
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