salaryRent is higher than in 54% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.5 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 18.7 minutes. Most households rent (70%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 67.7% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $69,400 a year. That is $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New York cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of New York. It is number 117 of 343 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Ithaca?
Share of households by yearly income. 19.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Ithaca
| Size | Ithaca | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,076 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,437 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,895 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,104 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,452 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Ithaca overall?
Everyday prices in the Ithaca metro area are 3% above the U.S. average (index 103.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Ithaca
Life in Ithaca
What jobs pay in Ithaca
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $151,780 | 13.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $138,920 | 15.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $136,980 | 15.2% |
| Lawyer | $135,610 | 15.4% |
| Software Developer | $122,730 | 17.0% |
| Operations Manager | $103,220 | 20.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $100,320 | 20.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $97,550 | 21.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,620 | 21.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $93,740 | 22.2% |
| Police Officer | $84,320 | 24.7% |
| Accountant | $83,800 | 24.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $78,810 | 26.4% |
| Electrician | $70,720 | 29.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,730 | 32.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $64,690 | 32.2% |
| Plumber | $64,460 | 32.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,610 | 32.7% |
| Carpenter | $60,680 | 34.3% |
| Truck Driver | $56,130 | 37.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $53,760 | 38.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $46,090 | 45.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,640 | 45.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,390 | 45.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,590 | 51.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $39,280 | 53.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,510 | 58.6% |
| Cashier | $35,470 | 58.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Ithaca?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $643 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $342,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $34,270 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Ithaca, NY?
Renting in Ithaca costs a median of about $1,735 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New York median is $2,177.
How much do I need to make to live in Ithaca?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $69,400 a year, or $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Ithaca cheap or expensive?
Ithaca is rated Expensive: rent takes 39.6% of the typical household income of $52,614. It ranks 117th cheapest of 343 New York cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Ithaca?
The median homeowner in Ithaca pays $8,897 a year in property taxes, about 2.60% of the median home value.
Is Ithaca more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Ithaca?
The median home value in Ithaca is $342,700, about 6.5 times the typical yearly household income.
32,814 people live in Ithaca. Numbers are typical (middle) values.