salaryRent is lower than in 68% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 16.3 minutes. Most households rent (59%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $52,480 a year. That is $25 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 63 of 343 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Watertown?
Share of households by yearly income. 14.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Watertown
| Size | Watertown | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $800 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $770 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,186 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,338 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,150 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Watertown overall?
Everyday prices in the Watertown-Fort Drum metro area are 12% below the U.S. average (index 87.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Watertown
Life in Watertown
What jobs pay in Watertown
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $143,250 | 11.0% |
| Lawyer | $136,970 | 11.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,900 | 11.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $128,870 | 12.2% |
| Software Developer | $119,350 | 13.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $96,070 | 16.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,340 | 16.7% |
| Operations Manager | $93,870 | 16.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $82,430 | 19.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,170 | 19.4% |
| Police Officer | $79,540 | 19.8% |
| Electrician | $78,550 | 20.0% |
| Accountant | $77,470 | 20.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,850 | 25.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,150 | 25.3% |
| Plumber | $61,490 | 25.6% |
| Firefighter | $60,700 | 25.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,320 | 26.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $59,700 | 26.4% |
| Carpenter | $57,840 | 27.2% |
| Truck Driver | $55,260 | 28.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,830 | 39.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,110 | 40.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $38,590 | 40.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,320 | 41.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,280 | 42.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,830 | 42.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,280 | 45.9% |
| Cashier | $33,040 | 47.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Watertown?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $212 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $158,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $15,860 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Watertown, NY?
Renting in Watertown costs a median of about $1,312 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New York median is $2,177.
How much do I need to make to live in Watertown?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $52,480 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Watertown cheap or expensive?
Watertown is rated OK: rent takes 28.2% of the typical household income of $55,816. It ranks 63rd cheapest of 343 New York cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Watertown?
The median homeowner in Watertown pays $2,710 a year in property taxes, about 1.71% of the median home value.
Is Watertown more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Watertown?
The median home value in Watertown is $158,600, about 2.8 times the typical yearly household income.
24,375 people live in Watertown. Numbers are typical (middle) values.