Cost of Living in Poughkeepsie, NY

Population 31,778 · New York · Data vintage 2023

93
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Poughkeepsie cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $259,000, rents near $1,370 a month. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.8% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Poughkeepsie is about 45 miles west of Waterbury, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 40% higher than Waterbury's $185,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 85
Rent 104

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

About the Cost of Living in Poughkeepsie

The median home value in Poughkeepsie is $259,200 — 15% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,370/month, 4% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,050/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.8%, 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 61.1°F and lows of 39.9°F. Overall, Poughkeepsie has a cost of living index of 93 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 7% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$259,200
15% below avg
Median Rent
$1,370/mo
4% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,905/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.8x
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 39.2%
Renter-occupied 60.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,370
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,984/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
23.8 min
12% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
63.5%
Carpooled
11.8%
Public transit
6.4%
Walked
6.0%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
8.3%

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
$60,050
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$43,459
Unemployment Rate
7.8%
62% above avg
Poverty Rate
18.0%
Labor Force Participation
63.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.6%
Graduate degree 14.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.9
Male median age 35.7
Female median age 40.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.1°F
Avg Low
39.9°F
Annual Precip
41.9"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 363948617180858375635141
Low °F 182027384857626153413224
Precip" 2.822.213.093.623.473.913.784.284.333.733.273.39

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 33 — Good
96%
Good air days/yr
108
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
347
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

63.5%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
11
Public schools
5,917
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Poughkeepsie, NY?

Poughkeepsie has a cost index of 93 (100 = national average). It is 7% below the national average.

What is average rent in Poughkeepsie, NY?

The median gross rent in Poughkeepsie is $1,370 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Poughkeepsie?

The median home value in Poughkeepsie is $259,200 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Poughkeepsie?

The median household income in Poughkeepsie is $60,050 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Poughkeepsie, NY?

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

Is Poughkeepsie, NY affordable?

Poughkeepsie is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 93 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Poughkeepsie?

Poughkeepsie has average high temperatures of 61.1°F and average lows of 39.9°F. Annual precipitation is 41.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Poughkeepsie at a Glance

Population
31,778
Median Income
$60,050
Home Value
$259,200
Median Rent
$1,370/mo
Unemployment
7.8%
Avg High Temp
61.1°F
Sales Tax
8.5%
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