salaryRent is higher than in 54% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.3 years of household income. Most households rent (61%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $69,320 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 116 of 343 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Poughkeepsie?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Poughkeepsie
| Size | Poughkeepsie | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,058 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,351 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,747 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,066 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,805 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Poughkeepsie overall?
Everyday prices in the Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh metro area are 9% above the U.S. average (index 109.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Poughkeepsie
Life in Poughkeepsie
What jobs pay in Poughkeepsie
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $154,610 | 13.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $151,740 | 13.7% |
| Software Developer | $145,830 | 14.3% |
| Pharmacist | $140,080 | 14.8% |
| Lawyer | $138,630 | 15.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $102,890 | 20.2% |
| Operations Manager | $102,140 | 20.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,600 | 20.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $98,290 | 21.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $98,180 | 21.2% |
| Accountant | $88,900 | 23.4% |
| Police Officer | $87,930 | 23.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $81,770 | 25.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $76,300 | 27.3% |
| Firefighter | $76,120 | 27.3% |
| Electrician | $70,100 | 29.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $66,360 | 31.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $65,530 | 31.7% |
| Plumber | $64,990 | 32.0% |
| Carpenter | $63,540 | 32.7% |
| Truck Driver | $62,760 | 33.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $46,950 | 44.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,730 | 45.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,550 | 45.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,450 | 45.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,510 | 46.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,000 | 47.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,160 | 57.5% |
| Cashier | $35,000 | 59.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Poughkeepsie?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $235 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $283,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $28,370 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Poughkeepsie, NY?
Renting in Poughkeepsie costs a median of about $1,733 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New York median is $2,177.
How much do I need to make to live in Poughkeepsie?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $69,320 a year, or $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Poughkeepsie cheap or expensive?
Poughkeepsie is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.7% of the typical household income of $65,509. It ranks 116th cheapest of 343 New York cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Poughkeepsie?
The median homeowner in Poughkeepsie pays $5,718 a year in property taxes, about 2.02% of the median home value.
Is Poughkeepsie more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Poughkeepsie?
The median home value in Poughkeepsie is $283,700, about 4.3 times the typical yearly household income.
31,958 people live in Poughkeepsie. Numbers are typical (middle) values.