Cost of Living in Rensselaer, NY

Population 9,247 · New York · Data vintage 2023

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Buyers in Rensselaer can reasonably expect a home to cost less than three years of household income — $203,000 against $66,046 in typical earnings — a ratio that has collapsed to 5:1 or worse in much of the country.

Located <5 miles east of Albany, Rensselaer falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 9% lower than Albany's $223,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 66

Rent 90

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

About the Cost of Living in Rensselaer

The median home value in Rensselaer is $202,600 — 34% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,180/month, 10% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $66,046/year is 11% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.8%, 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 59.4°F and lows of 39.4°F, with about 59.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Rensselaer has a cost of living index of 76 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 24% less expensive.

📍

Rensselaer has limited residential data

Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:

Albany, NY

Median home: $223,000

Rent: $1,178/mo

Income: $59,485

Loudonville, NY

Median home: $370,200

Rent: $1,891/mo

Income: $131,806

Roessleville, NY

Median home: $249,100

Rent: $1,362/mo

Income: $87,022

Watervliet, NY

Median home: $176,200

Rent: $1,076/mo

Income: $55,897

Latham, NY

Median home: $300,300

Rent: $1,417/mo

Income: $101,580

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$202,600

34% below avg

Zillow Home Value

$300,123

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,180/mo

10% below avg

Zillow Rent

$1,916/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

14.3x

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 44.9%

Renter-occupied 55.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,180

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $1,794/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

24.0 min

11% below avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

12.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

65.8%

Carpooled

12.3%

Public transit

5.5%

Walked

2.8%

Work from home

12.4%

⚡ 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

$66,046

11% below avg

Per Capita Income

$38,123

Unemployment Rate

4.8%

0% below avg

Poverty Rate

19.6%

Labor Force Participation

67.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.2%

Graduate degree 8.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.9

Male median age 37.1

Female median age 39.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High

59.4°F

Avg Low

39.4°F

Annual Precip

40.7"

Annual Snowfall

59.2"

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	33	36	45	59	71	79	84	82	74	62	49	38
Low °F	16	18	26	37	48	57	62	61	53	41	32	23
Precip"	2.60	2.28	3.09	3.11	3.41	4.05	4.55	3.76	3.73	3.85	2.99	3.26
Snow"	15.6	13.7	12.0	1.6	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	2.6	13.3

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%

4-Year Graduation Rate

11.4:1

Student-teacher ratio

Public schools

1,108

Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Rensselaer, NY?

Rensselaer has a cost index of 76 (100 = national average). It is 24% below the national average.

What is average rent in Rensselaer, NY?

The median gross rent in Rensselaer is $1,180 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Rensselaer?

The median home value in Rensselaer is $202,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Rensselaer?

The median household income in Rensselaer is $66,046 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Rensselaer, NY?

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

Is Rensselaer, NY affordable?

Yes, Rensselaer is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 76 — about 24% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Rensselaer?

Rensselaer 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.

Rensselaer at a Glance

Population: 9,247
Median Income: $66,046
Home Value: $202,600
Median Rent: $1,180/mo
Unemployment: 4.8%
Avg High Temp: 59.4°F
Sales Tax: 8.5%

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