You don’t have to be an emperor to live like a king in the Empire State.
The cheapest places to live in New York come from the best parts of the state.
To determine the most affordable places to live in New York, we used Saturday Night Science and Census data on costs of living, rents, and home prices for every town with over 5,000 people. We discovered some suburbs of NYC and others with easy commutes around Upstate New York offer budget bliss.
Whether you’re a city slicker or a country lover, rest assured there’s a place for you. It’s all about knowing where to look.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Table | FAQs | Summary
The 10 most affordable places to live in New York
What place is the cheapest place to live in New York? The cheapest place to live in New York is Jamestown for 2026 based on the most recent data.
While the cost of living in these areas may be lower, they still offer unique New York perks, like proximity to the majestic Niagara Falls or the picturesque Adirondack Mountains.
Check out some more reading about New York and the cheapest places in the country:
The 10 Cheapest Places To Live In New York For 2026
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Population: 28,188
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 84
Median Income: $43,523
Median Home Price: $117,913
Median Rent: $759
Jamestown took home the first place on the list of cheap living in New York. Residents enjoy a home price of $117,913 and an average rent of $759. The city’s average income is $43,523, meaning those 10% lower housing costs go even further.
An hour plus south of Buffalo, Jamestown is close to Panama Rocks Scenic Park for affordable weekend fun.
More on Jamestown: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 8,152
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 89
Median Income: $47,385
Median Home Price: $109,104
Median Rent: $784
If you give us a New York minute, we’ll tell you why Hornell is the Empire State’s second most affordable city for 2026. Maple City is fifth when it comes to home price to income ratio. We’re not surprised it’s so affordable. And we definitely think it’s because they have such a strong economy.
Jobs in manufacturing, healthcare, and waste management support Hornell’s economy. H-Tizzle’s $47,385/year median income provides stability, affordability, and some extra cheddar for a Lake Ontario beach trip or two. And if you’re looking for a side hustle to make Hornell even more affordable, we hear they’re always hiring dealers at the local casino.
More on Hornell: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 10,238
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 90
Median Income: $51,458
Median Home Price: $115,435
Median Rent: $722
Located just south of the Canadian border, Massena is the third cheapest place to live in New York. Home prices in Massena are the 6.0 lowest in the state, about eight times lower than the statewide average. The median home price in Massena is $115,435 and the median income is $51,458, giving the town the fourth best income to home price ratio in the state. Rent is a little steeper in Massena, but if you keep your hobbies to free outdoorsy things like hiking at Robert Moses State Park, you should still have plenty left for your savings.
More on Massena: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 5,846
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 90
Median Income: $41,667
Median Home Price: $96,933
Median Rent: $688
Salamanca, within the Allegany Indian Reservation, has the fourth lowest cost of living in New York. The city’s 90 cost of living index falls below the national average, supported by a $96,933 that is the lowest in the state, according to Zillow.
Salamanca’s position near the Allegheny River and Allegany State Park gives you plenty of cheap things to do on the weekend.
More on Salamanca: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 26,257
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 91
Median Income: $43,120
Median Home Price: $122,491
Median Rent: $909
Elmira snuck onto the list as the fifth lowest cost place in New York. The cost of living index is 24.8% lower than the state’s average.
Located in Southern New York as the county seat of Chemung County, Elmira shines with an affordable 2.84 home price to income ratio and a $909 ranking at 28th lowest state-wide.
More on Elmira: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Elmira was a nice small city with lots of areas around it Pine City, Elmira Heights, Horseheads, Big Flats, Corning so it is quite a large area of people and places. The city has tried to come back after the flood which took a lot of the buildings. It is not bad here at all I am mad they put it on the list..
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Population: 9,455
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 92
Median Income: $61,824
Median Home Price: $106,454
Median Rent: $778
Head northeast from Hornell, towards the Canadian border, and you will run right into our sixth most affordable city in New York: Ogdensburg.
This city in St. Lawrence County is the most affordable city in terms of home to income ratio and it is the 20th cheapest for rent to income ratio. Up two spots from last year, we’re pretty sure the residents in border city know a good deal. More importantly, those numbers scream buy, don’t rent.
We’re pretty sure this is also why Ogdensburg is one of HomeSnacks’ best places to retire in New York for 2026. Either way, seems like they’re keeping their townies happy and their city affordable.
More on Ogdensburg: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 7,593
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 92
Median Income: $62,843
Median Home Price: $147,235
Median Rent: $694
Ilion thinks that their NY pizza is the best, we just think they’re the best because they are our seventh most affordable city in New York for 2026. Ilion residents are all about celebrating one of their most notable people: Billy the Kidd. We think they should also be celebrating the fact that they’re our seventh most affordable city in terms of home price to income ratio.
Once Great Lakes region manufacturing powerhouse, Ilion’s residents now find themselves working in healthcare, logistics, and engineering to offset their cost of living. So do yourself and your wallet a favor, and get-a-movin’ to this affordable Herkimer County city.
More on Ilion: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 5,770
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 92
Median Income: $59,231
Median Home Price: $172,121
Median Rent: $906
No this isn’t the Funky Cold Medina that Tone Loc sings about. Medina is actually New York’s eighth most affordable city for 2026. This little Erie Canal city is 18th when it comes to home price to income ratio. We’re not surprised it’s so affordable. And we definitely think it’s because they have such a strong economy as a result of agriculture and sandstone
Now if growing fruit and/or carving sandstone isn’t your shtick, but living in the oh so affordable Mediana is, we heard “‘The Jewel of the Erie Canal” is alway looking for canal boat guides.
More on Medina: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 5,429
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 92
Median Income: $60,548
Median Home Price: $128,925
Median Rent: $839
Malone is a town in Franklin County, New York, United States. The population was 14,545 at the 2010 census. The town contains a village also named Malone, which is the county seat. The town is an interior town located in the north-central part of the county.
More on Malone: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 47,987
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 93
Median Income: $49,101
Median Home Price: $166,405
Median Rent: $823
Niagara Falls is a great place to live if you’re looking for affordable housing in New York. With a median home value of $166,405 and a median rent of just $823, it’s one of the most cost-effective places to reside in the state. T
Located near the Niagara River and alongside the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Plus, it’s part of the Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, which offers access to all kinds of services and conveniences.
More on Niagara Falls: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
I love visiting Niagara Falls, NY. The scenes of the falls along with the Niagara River are just amazing. There is so much to do for free, and with the casino, the aquarium, hiking trails, and so much more nearby, it’s a perfect getaway.
The fireworks every night are wonderful. I also loved the aquarium; it’s small, but the sea lion show is really cool. Just walking along the Niagara River and on Goat Island and the Three Sisters Islands is really cool.
Cheapest places to live in New York FAQs
The county in New York with the lowest cost of living is Tompkins County. The average living wage in Tompkins County is $101,647 according to MIT data. Tompkins County has the lowest cost of living because it has relatively less expensive childcare and housing costs compared to New York as a whole. Childcare costs $20,571 a year in Tompkins County for two children compared to the New York average of $23,262. Housing costs, defined as a blend of the average rent and average mortgage payment, are $15,228 per year in Tompkins County compared to $20,091 on average in New York.
The cost of living in New York is 22.9% higher than the US average. According to MIT, the required living wage for a family of four with two working parents in New York is $110,255 vs the national average for a family of four with two working parents of $89,744. The median income of a New York household is $71,117.
The cheapest housing market in New York is Jamestown. The average home value in Jamestown is $66,400, the lowest in the state. The average home value in New York is $325,000, almost 4.9 times higher than Jamestown.
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The county in New York with the lowest cost of living is Tompkins County. The average living wage in Tompkins County is $101,647 according to MIT data. Tompkins County has the lowest cost of living because it has relatively less expensive childcare and housing costs compared to New York as a whole. Childcare costs $20,571 a year in Tompkins County for two children compared to the New York average of $23,262. Housing costs, defined as a blend of the average rent and average mortgage payment, are $15,228 per year in Tompkins County compared to $20,091 on average in New York.
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Methodology: How we determined the most affordable places to live in the Empire State for 2026
Determining affordability for places in New York boils down to how much it costs to live here.
You need to understand your costs relative to what people in the rest of the state are paying.
With that logic in mind, we derived several cost of living statistics from the latest Census American Community Survey 2020-2024 for New York using Saturday Night Science. We indexed the cost of living statistics across the following categories:
- Housing
- Transportation
- Services
- Groceries
- Healthcare
- Utilities
These are then weighted together to produce an overall cost of living index where 100 is the United States average. Anything below 100 is relatively affordable. Anything over 100 is relatively expensive.
We applied the biggest weight to housing as it typically accounts for 25% or more of your budget. Additionally, housing costs are the highest variant cost across a state. We then compare these cost of living metrics for each place in New York to figure out which is the least expensive.
The “Cost of Living Index” allows you to rank all of the 166 places in New York that have more than 5,000 people from least expensive to most expensive. Any ties went to the larger city.
The place in New York with the lowest cost of living according to the data is Jamestown.
We updated this article for 2026. This report reflects our eleventh time ranking the cheapest places to live in New York.
New York Affordabilility Summary
This is an accurate list of the most affordable places to live in New York for 2026, if you’re looking at the cost of living numbers in New York.
The cheapest cities in New York are Jamestown, Hornell, Massena, Salamanca, Elmira, Ogdensburg, Ilion, Medina, Malone, and Niagara Falls.
Here’s a look at the most expensive cities in New York according to the data:
- Scarsdale
- East Hills
- Rye
For more New York reading, check out:
- Worst Places To Live In New York State
- Best Places To Live In New York
- Best Places To Raise A Family In New York
Cheapest Places To Live In New York
| Rank | City | Population | Cost Of Living Index | Median Income | Home Prices | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamestown | 28,188 | 84 | $43,523 | $117,913 | $759 |
| 2 | Hornell | 8,152 | 89 | $47,385 | $109,104 | $784 |
| 3 | Massena | 10,238 | 90 | $51,458 | $115,435 | $722 |
| 4 | Salamanca | 5,846 | 90 | $41,667 | $96,933 | $688 |
| 5 | Elmira | 26,257 | 91 | $43,120 | $122,491 | $909 |
| 6 | Ogdensburg | 9,455 | 92 | $61,824 | $106,454 | $778 |
| 7 | Ilion | 7,593 | 92 | $62,843 | $147,235 | $694 |
| 8 | Medina | 5,770 | 92 | $59,231 | $172,121 | $906 |
| 9 | Malone | 5,429 | 92 | $60,548 | $128,925 | $839 |
| 10 | Niagara Falls | 47,987 | 93 | $49,101 | $166,405 | $823 |
| 11 | Lackawanna | 19,753 | 93 | $52,110 | $168,585 | $872 |
| 12 | Johnson City | 14,940 | 93 | $56,283 | $156,863 | $1,031 |
| 13 | Endicott | 13,387 | 93 | $47,290 | $193,755 | $853 |
| 14 | Potsdam | 8,427 | 93 | $34,546 | $177,295 | $898 |
| 15 | Albion | 5,506 | 93 | $41,581 | $98,611 | $881 |
| 16 | Auburn | 26,285 | 94 | $51,052 | $214,996 | $897 |
| 17 | Olean | 13,738 | 94 | $51,261 | $103,164 | $794 |
| 18 | Bath | 5,560 | 94 | $47,150 | $121,856 | $735 |
| 19 | Binghamton | 47,151 | 95 | $45,578 | $181,129 | $870 |
| 20 | Oswego | 17,033 | 95 | $53,172 | $144,502 | $1,109 |
| 21 | Dunkirk | 12,549 | 95 | $53,299 | $128,151 | $866 |
| 22 | Fulton | 11,272 | 95 | $52,046 | $175,606 | $887 |
| 23 | Herkimer | 7,566 | 95 | $48,529 | $159,599 | $821 |
| 24 | Syracuse | 146,384 | 96 | $47,819 | $210,251 | $1,039 |
| 25 | Amsterdam | 18,166 | 96 | $56,178 | $235,742 | $1,006 |
| 26 | Tonawanda | 15,030 | 96 | $58,326 | $208,006 | $835 |
| 27 | Gloversville | 14,962 | 96 | $51,556 | $170,947 | $903 |
| 28 | Newark | 8,991 | 96 | $60,006 | $196,938 | $979 |
| 29 | Norwich | 6,782 | 96 | $53,333 | $145,101 | $867 |
| 30 | Buffalo | 276,854 | 97 | $50,041 | $238,088 | $1,046 |
| 31 | Rochester | 208,772 | 97 | $47,213 | $235,783 | $1,081 |
| 32 | Schenectady | 68,847 | 97 | $58,399 | $318,449 | $1,145 |
| 33 | Utica | 64,217 | 97 | $52,484 | $202,754 | $951 |
| 34 | North Tonawanda | 30,198 | 97 | $66,961 | $273,946 | $934 |
| 35 | Lockport | 20,610 | 97 | $62,410 | $257,724 | $945 |
| 36 | Cortland | 17,450 | 97 | $59,482 | $197,781 | $975 |
| 37 | Batavia | 15,097 | 97 | $59,446 | $197,339 | $925 |
| 38 | Johnstown | 8,111 | 97 | $63,763 | $192,658 | $914 |
| 39 | Canton | 7,167 | 97 | $62,054 | $185,238 | $796 |
| 40 | Horseheads | 6,449 | 97 | $61,223 | $213,483 | $1,181 |
| 41 | Liberty | 5,142 | 97 | $64,913 | $217,951 | $889 |
| 42 | Rome | 31,795 | 98 | $59,925 | $202,146 | $909 |
| 43 | Geneva | 12,512 | 98 | $79,435 | $218,801 | $972 |
| 44 | Oneida | 10,171 | 98 | $61,597 | $209,145 | $903 |
| 45 | Solvay | 6,544 | 98 | $61,166 | $179,728 | $946 |
| 46 | East Rochester | 6,218 | 98 | $73,344 | $227,076 | $1,132 |
| 47 | Plattsburgh | 19,830 | 99 | $57,630 | $244,069 | $1,030 |
| 48 | Corning | 10,643 | 99 | $61,760 | $189,793 | $1,014 |
| 49 | North Syracuse | 6,693 | 99 | $71,026 | $230,805 | $995 |
| 50 | Watertown | 24,375 | 100 | $51,753 | $195,771 | $967 |
| 51 | Lancaster | 10,113 | 100 | $66,148 | $242,274 | $969 |
| 52 | Port Jervis | 8,652 | 100 | $47,917 | $310,671 | $1,260 |
| 53 | Monticello | 7,279 | 100 | $50,583 | $275,473 | $1,166 |
| 54 | Brockport | 7,277 | 100 | $69,866 | $269,354 | $995 |
| 55 | Oneonta | 15,045 | 101 | $61,111 | $220,587 | $1,021 |
| 56 | Hudson Falls | 7,395 | 101 | $62,969 | $230,034 | $927 |
| 57 | Depew | 15,000 | 102 | $73,556 | $260,964 | $1,061 |
| 58 | Canandaigua | 10,514 | 102 | $64,929 | $274,506 | $1,095 |
| 59 | Baldwinsville | 7,715 | 102 | $77,241 | $321,319 | $1,201 |
| 60 | Scotia | 7,264 | 103 | $76,525 | $249,645 | $1,031 |
| 61 | Mechanicville | 5,124 | 103 | $50,675 | $483,740 | $1,070 |
| 62 | Troy | 51,033 | 104 | $58,477 | $286,798 | $1,175 |
| 63 | Newburgh | 28,519 | 104 | $56,960 | $392,141 | $1,454 |
| 64 | Cohoes | 18,159 | 104 | $61,145 | $330,325 | $1,251 |
| 65 | Glens Falls | 14,609 | 104 | $67,788 | $264,460 | $1,077 |
| 66 | Watervliet | 10,287 | 104 | $57,919 | $308,696 | $1,083 |
| 67 | Hamburg | 9,792 | 104 | $112,292 | $297,870 | $1,097 |
| 68 | Fredonia | 9,467 | 104 | $50,433 | $204,762 | $878 |
| 69 | Rensselaer | 9,287 | 104 | $70,080 | $306,689 | $1,219 |
| 70 | Kenmore | 15,044 | 105 | $77,639 | $249,943 | $1,081 |
| 71 | Geneseo | 7,701 | 106 | $46,589 | $271,031 | $971 |
| 72 | Hilton | 5,968 | 106 | $87,377 | $300,280 | $1,262 |
| 73 | Kingston | 23,911 | 107 | $68,186 | $378,029 | $1,469 |
| 74 | Webster | 5,718 | 107 | $70,495 | $386,505 | $1,239 |
| 75 | Albany | 100,492 | 110 | $61,986 | $320,505 | $1,216 |
| 76 | Middletown | 30,289 | 111 | $79,346 | $402,620 | $1,661 |
| 77 | Hudson | 5,865 | 111 | $54,139 | $436,089 | $1,343 |
| 78 | Fairport | 5,403 | 111 | $107,009 | $396,820 | $1,165 |
| 79 | Poughkeepsie | 31,958 | 113 | $60,741 | $339,927 | $1,400 |
| 80 | Williamsville | 5,469 | 113 | $98,850 | $410,876 | $1,404 |
| 81 | East Aurora | 5,993 | 114 | $103,949 | $431,046 | $1,196 |
| 82 | Ithaca | 32,814 | 115 | $48,784 | $410,620 | $1,447 |
| 83 | Ballston Spa | 5,027 | 115 | $101,667 | $422,526 | $1,122 |
| 84 | Wappingers Falls | 5,761 | 116 | $65,040 | $486,032 | $1,538 |
| 85 | Walden | 6,868 | 117 | $87,487 | $412,020 | $1,625 |
| 86 | Colonie | 7,702 | 118 | $103,983 | $341,964 | $1,570 |
| 87 | Washingtonville | 5,707 | 118 | $95,313 | $516,964 | $1,351 |
| 88 | Haverstraw | 12,325 | 119 | $75,167 | $444,472 | $2,114 |
| 89 | Beacon | 14,834 | 122 | $107,859 | $538,601 | $1,658 |
| 90 | West Haverstraw | 10,711 | 122 | $86,301 | $425,896 | $1,803 |
| 91 | Peekskill | 25,625 | 124 | $85,954 | $500,839 | $2,036 |
| 92 | New Paltz | 8,314 | 124 | $52,774 | $496,651 | $1,672 |
| 93 | Goshen | 5,773 | 126 | $104,643 | $558,034 | $1,805 |
| 94 | Spring Valley | 33,192 | 127 | $57,196 | $871,486 | $1,695 |
| 95 | Suffern | 11,441 | 128 | $104,607 | $576,039 | $2,091 |
| 96 | Warwick | 6,585 | 129 | $89,609 | $566,346 | $1,296 |
| 97 | Mount Vernon | 72,427 | 132 | $78,779 | $568,430 | $1,629 |
| 98 | Patchogue | 12,396 | 132 | $107,306 | $586,012 | $2,263 |
| 99 | Hempstead | 58,801 | 133 | $90,420 | $627,530 | $1,622 |
| 100 | Woodbury | 11,334 | 133 | $121,221 | $1,478,907 | $1,868 |