Cost of Living in Saratoga Springs, NY

Population 28,542 · New York · Data vintage 2023

131
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Most of Saratoga Springs's cost indicators track within a reasonable band of national figures, with median household incomes near $100,485 — a more representative starting point for relocation math than the headline-expensive or headline-cheap cities on either tail. An unemployment rate of 2.3% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 30 miles north of Albany, Saratoga Springs falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 100% higher than Albany's $223,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 146
Rent 110

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

About the Cost of Living in Saratoga Springs

The median home value in Saratoga Springs is $445,100 — 46% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,439/month, 10% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $100,485/year is 35% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%, 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 56.9°F and lows of 34.5°F. Overall, Saratoga Springs has a cost of living index of 131 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 31% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$445,100
46% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$617,768
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,439/mo
10% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,982/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.8x
Favors renting
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 57.5%
Renter-occupied 42.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,439
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,053/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
26.5 min
2% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
22.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
64.8%
Carpooled
4.7%
Public transit
1.4%
Walked
5.0%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
22.5%

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
$100,485
35% above avg
Per Capita Income
$62,931
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
52% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Labor Force Participation
63.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 31.0%
Graduate degree 27.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.3
Male median age 41
Female median age 45.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
56.9°F
Avg Low
34.5°F
Annual Precip
38.2"
23° 45° 68° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 303343576977828072594735
Low °F 101121334453585648372818
Precip" 2.561.952.793.103.353.724.263.483.303.683.013.01

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 31 — Good
96.4%
Good air days/yr
122
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
365
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12:1
Student-teacher ratio
8
Public schools
6,338
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Saratoga Springs, NY?

Saratoga Springs has a cost index of 131 (100 = national average). It is 31% above the national average.

What is average rent in Saratoga Springs, NY?

The median gross rent in Saratoga Springs is $1,439 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Saratoga Springs?

The median home value in Saratoga Springs is $445,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Saratoga Springs?

The median household income in Saratoga Springs is $100,485 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Saratoga Springs, NY?

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

Is Saratoga Springs, NY affordable?

Saratoga Springs is above average in cost of living, with an index of 131 — about 31% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Saratoga Springs?

Saratoga Springs has average high temperatures of 56.9°F and average lows of 34.5°F. Annual precipitation is 38.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Saratoga Springs at a Glance

Population
28,542
Median Income
$100,485
Home Value
$445,100
Median Rent
$1,439/mo
Unemployment
2.3%
Avg High Temp
56.9°F
Sales Tax
8.5%
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