Cost of Living in Tonawanda, NY

Population 15,044 · 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

Under 25,000 residents gives Tonawanda a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $160,000.

Located 8 miles north of Buffalo, Tonawanda falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Buffalo's $152,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 52

Rent 59

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

About the Cost of Living in Tonawanda

The median home value in Tonawanda is $159,500 — 48% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $776/month, 41% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $61,619/year is 17% 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, Tonawanda has a cost of living index of 55 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 45% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$159,500

48% below avg

Median Rent

$776/mo

41% below avg

Zillow Rent

$1,297/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

17.1x

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 73.8%

Renter-occupied 26.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$776

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $1,390/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

23.1 min

14% below avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

14.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

73.3%

Carpooled

9.3%

Public transit

0.7%

Walked

0.5%

Bicycle

0.7%

Work from home

14.6%

⚡ 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

$61,619

17% below avg

Per Capita Income

$35,348

Unemployment Rate

6.0%

24% above avg

Poverty Rate

12.0%

Labor Force Participation

60.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.2%

Graduate degree 9.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.3

Male median age 38.7

Female median age 46.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High

56.7°F

Avg Low

38.8°F

Annual Precip

33"

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	32	33	41	55	68	76	81	79	73	60	47	37
Low °F	17	17	25	34	46	56	61	60	52	42	32	24
Precip"	2.27	1.77	2.12	3.19	3.03	2.88	3.37	2.62	3.27	3.23	2.78	2.44

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good

54.2%

Good air days/yr

176

Max AQI recorded

275

PM2.5 days

Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%

4-Year Graduation Rate

11:1

Student-teacher ratio

Public schools

1,813

Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Tonawanda, NY?

Tonawanda has a cost index of 55 (100 = national average). It is 45% below the national average.

What is average rent in Tonawanda, NY?

The median gross rent in Tonawanda is $776 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Tonawanda?

The median home value in Tonawanda is $159,500 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Tonawanda?

The median household income in Tonawanda is $61,619 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Tonawanda, NY?

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

Is Tonawanda, NY affordable?

Yes, Tonawanda is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 55 — about 45% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Tonawanda?

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.

Tonawanda at a Glance

Population: 15,044
Median Income: $61,619
Home Value: $159,500
Median Rent: $776/mo
Unemployment: 6.0%
Avg High Temp: 56.7°F
Sales Tax: 8.5%

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