Cost of Living in St. James, NY

Population 13,680 · New York · Data vintage 2023

191
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing in St. James sits 108% above the national median — $633,000 for the typical home — but median household incomes near $130,556 (75% above the US figure) soften the blow that similar pricing creates in lower-wage metros.

St. James sits roughly 20 miles south of Bridgeport — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 151% higher than Bridgeport's $252,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 208
Rent 167

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

About the Cost of Living in St. James

The median home value in St. James is $632,900 — 108% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,192/month, 67% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $130,556/year is 75% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.1%, 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 61.1°F and lows of 45.2°F, with about 31.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, St. James has a cost of living index of 191 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 91% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$632,900
108% above avg
Median Rent
$2,192/mo
67% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.1x
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 87.2%
Renter-occupied 12.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,192
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,806/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
32.5 min
20% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.2%
Carpooled
4.3%
Public transit
2.6%
Walked
1.2%
Work from home
10.9%

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
$130,556
75% above avg
Per Capita Income
$65,817
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
14% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.9%
Labor Force Participation
62.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.6%
Graduate degree 24.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 47.4
Male median age 43.9
Female median age 49.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.1°F
Avg Low
45.2°F
Annual Precip
46"
Annual Snowfall
31.8"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 394148586877838175645444
Low °F 252632415161676659473830
Precip" 3.663.294.514.063.284.003.264.243.603.973.414.71
Snow" 10.39.46.50.60.00.00.00.00.00.00.54.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
76.2%
Good air days/yr
195
Max AQI recorded
86
PM2.5 days
278
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in St. James, NY?

St. James has a cost index of 191 (100 = national average). It is 91% above the national average.

What is average rent in St. James, NY?

The median gross rent in St. James is $2,192 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in St. James?

The median home value in St. James is $632,900 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in St. James?

The median household income in St. James is $130,556 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in St. James, NY?

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

Is St. James, NY affordable?

St. James is above average in cost of living, with an index of 191 — about 91% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in St. James?

St. James has average high temperatures of 61.1°F and average lows of 45.2°F. Annual precipitation is 46". Average annual snowfall is 31.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

St. James at a Glance

Population
13,680
Median Income
$130,556
Home Value
$632,900
Median Rent
$2,192/mo
Unemployment
4.1%
Avg High Temp
61.1°F
Sales Tax
8.5%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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