Top 10 Cheapest Places to Live in New York

New York is a state located in the Northeastern US. It is one of the thirteen original colonies that formed the country.

New York’s diverse landscape includes the Adirondacks, the Catskills, and the skyscrapers of New York City. There are plenty of ways to experience this state without leaving the comfort of your home.

It is one of the most popular states to live in for young people. However, it is one of the most expensive places to live as well.

To live comfortably, a person should earn at least three times more than the monthly rent before taxes. To live in Manhattan, a one-room apartment costs around $4,045.

Related: How Much Money Should I Save To Move To New York City?

Below is a list of the cheapest places to live in New York State.

Ilion

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 7800
  • Cost of Living: 85/100

Average Home Price

IlionNew YorkUSA
Average Home Value$82k$314k218k
Average Rent$630$1,2901,060
Average Income$54,400$68,500$62,850

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

IlionNew YorkUSA
Overall85117100
Groceries98108100
Health105101100
Housing48145100
Transportation89102100
Utilities10097100

Ilion is a village in New York’s Herkimer County. It’s about 50 miles east of Syracuse and the population was 7,790 in 2017.

It is a small-city complex located in Central New York, about 50 miles east of Syracuse. Although it is one of the cheapest places to live in New York, the neighborhood is not very safe.

The chances of being a victim of property or violent crime in Ilion are 1 in 34. It is the fifth most dangerous community in New York state.

Ogdensburg

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 10,700
  • Cost of Living: 89/100

Average Home Price

OgdensburgNew YorkUSA
Average Home Value$68K$314k$218k
Average Rent$627$1,280$1,062
Average Income$41,965$68,486$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

OgdensburgNew YorkUSA
Overall89117100
Groceries111108100
Health100101100
Housing45145100
Transportation113102100
Utilities11997100

Ogdensburg is a city located in St. Lawrence County. At the 2019 census, it had a population of 10,436.

The City of Ogdensburg was created in 1749 by French missionary Abbe Francois Picquet, who was tasked with converting the Native Americans into Christianity.

Ogdensburg’s overall cost of living index is lower than the national index. It is also the most affordable place in New York City.

The crime rate in Ogdensburg is lower than the national average. It is also lower than the city’s population.

Hornell

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 8,281
  • Cost of Living: 85/100

Average Home Price

HornellNew YorkUSA
Average Home Value$68K$314k$218k
Average Rent$667$1,2801,062
Average Income$42,562$68,486$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

HornellNew YorkUSA
Overall85117100
Groceries98108100
Health100101100
Housing44145100
Transportation102102100
Utilities9597100

Hornell is a city located in New York’s Steuben County. It has a population of 8,563 people at the 2010 census.

The town is known for its large maple trees, which once grew throughout the area.

Located in the heart of the beautiful western region, Hornell is a small town that is known for its peaceful atmosphere and quiet streets. There are a lot of shops, restaurants, and parks in this town.

Massena

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 10,091
  • Cost of Living: 91/100

Average Home Price

MassenaNew YorkUSA
Average Home Value$77K$314k$218k
Average Rent$669$1,2801,062
Average Income$44,626$68,486$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

MassenaNew YorkUSA
Overall91117100
Groceries111108100
Health100101100
Housing49145100
Transportation113102100
Utilities11997100

The town of Massena is located in St. Lawrence County in New York, United States. It is along the northern border with Canada and is bordered by the Three Nations Bridge.

A powerful dam was constructed in the 1900s to provide hydroelectric power to Massena. The town is now home to the New York Power Authority’s hydroelectric power plant.

Massena has a variety of services and affordable housing. There are also many companies in the area.

It is a very cheap place to live in New York, with amenities including low utility rates and affordable housing. There are also many job opportunities in the private and public sectors.

Massena’s crime rate is 19.14 per 1,000 residents. East Massena’s residents consider it to be the safest area.

Herkimer

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 6,615
  • Cost of Living: 87/100

Average Home Price

HerkimerNew YorkUSA
Average Home Value$78K$314k$218k
Average Rent$698$1,2801,062
Average Income$44,870$68,486$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

HerkimerNew YorkUSA
Overall87117100
Groceries98108100
Health105101100
Housing55145100
Transportation89102100
Utilities10097100

Herkimer is a town located in New York’s Herkimer County, near the Pennsylvania border. It has a village named Herkimer.

Herkimer is home to a variety of industries that produce unusual crystals, such as diamonds.

The population has been declining slowly over the years, currently at 6615 residents. Herkimer has the highest crime rate in the country at 36 per thousand residents.

Fulton

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 11,300
  • Cost of Living: 86/100

Average Home Price

FultonNew YorkUSA
Average Home Value$81K$314k$218k
Average Rent$716$1,2801,062
Average Income$45,639$68,486$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

FultonNew YorkUSA
Overall86117100
Groceries101108100
Health98101100
Housing51145100
Transportation96102100
Utilities10197100

Fulton is a city in New York State. It has a population of approximately 11,896 as of the 2010 census.

It is in Oswego County, New York. Its population was 11,896 in 2010.

Fulton has a lot of bars and is located in a dense suburb. The residents tend to be conservative and the public schools are above average.

Tonawanda

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 57,027
  • Cost of Living: 89/100

Average Home Price

TonawandaNew YorkUSA
Average Home Value$134K$314k$218k
Average Rent$863$1,2801,062
Average Income$59,845$68,486$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

TonawandaNew YorkUSA
Overall89117100
Groceries86108100
Health85101100
Housing71145100
Transportation98102100
Utilities9697100

Tonawanda is a town located in Erie County, New York. It is often referred to as “Ken-Ton”.

Compared to New York, Tonawanda has the most affordable standard of living. Its cost of living index is lower than that of New York.

The City of Tonawanda has a great school system, great neighborhoods, and a variety of shops and restaurants. This is a great place to live.

The crime rate is fairly low compared to other cheap cities in New York. The odds of being a victim of a violent or property crime in Tonawanda are 1 in 64.

Kenmore

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 15,132
  • Cost of Living: 87/100

Average Home Price

KenmoreNew YorkUSA
Average Home Value$134K$314k$218k
Average Rent$783$1,2801,062
Average Income$68,110$68,486$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

KenmoreNew YorkUSA
Overall87117100
Groceries96108100
Health85101100
Housing65145100
Transportation98102100
Utilities9697100

Kenmore is a city located in New York’s Erie County. Its population was 15,423 in 2010.

Kenmore is a great place to raise a family. It was named one of the top 10 Great Neighborhoods in the US.

Located in Erie County, Kenmore is a great place to live. It has a lot of restaurants, bars, and parks.

The overall crime rate in Kenmore is 13 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the national average and one of the lowest in New York’s affordable cities.

Medina

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 5,847
  • Cost of Living: 82/100

Average Home Price

MedinaNew YorkUSA
Average Home Value$77K$314k$218k
Average Rent$740$1,2801,062
Average Income$43,779$68,486$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

MedinaNew YorkUSA
Overall82117100
Groceries96108100
Health85101100
Housing47145100
Transportation98102100
Utilities9697100

Medina is a town with a population of approximately 5,847. Most residents live in the suburbs and the average public school is well-regarded.

Medina Sandstone is known for its use in buildings all around the region. Some examples of its prominent use include the New York State Capitol in Albany and the University of Rochester.

Olean

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 13,670
  • Cost of Living: 82/100

Average Home Price

OleanNew YorkUSA
Average Home Value$81K$314k$218k
Average Rent$648$1,2801,062
Average Income$41,742$68,486$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

OleanNew YorkUSA
Overall82117100
Groceries96108100
Health85101100
Housing47145100
Transportation98102100
Utilities9697100

Olean is the biggest city in Cattaraugus County, New York. It is located in the United States’ Fifth Congressional District.

It is a small town with a population of approximately 13,000. This place is known for its outdoor activities.

However, the crime rate has gone up over the years. The crime rate in Olean, New York for 2018 was 323.17. This was a 42.76% increase from the 2017 crime rate.