| Index | Ithaca | New York | National |
| Cost of living | 117 | 121 | 100 |
| Groceries | 104 | 106 | 100 |
| Health care | 107 | 110 | 100 |
| Housing | 139 | 144 | 100 |
| Transportation | 111 | 113 | 100 |
| Utilities | 112 | 112 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 107 | 111 | 100 |
| Household Items | 105 | 106 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 113 | 118 | 100 |
The cost of living in Ithaca affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Ithaca is 117, which is 17% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
When it comes to the cost of living in Ithaca, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 38.9% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 9 residents in Ithaca to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 33% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 67% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Ithaca is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Ithaca, for example, the median home price is 45.8% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 23% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Ithaca boasting a median household income of $57,263, which is 29.6% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Ithaca, the healthcare costs are 7% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Ithaca, the transportation index is 10.5% higher than the national average.
The Ithaca cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
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| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
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| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $186,436 | $15,536 | $4,350 | $5,594 |
| Renters | $35,296 | $2,941 | $824 | $1,059 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| New York | 4% | 8.875% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| New York | 4% | 10.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Candor, NY | 926 | 93 | 7.4% |
| Newfield Hamlet, NY | 784 | 93 | 7.1% |
| Interlaken, NY | 589 | 94 | 5.7% |
| Groton, NY | 2,099 | 98 | 2.5% |
| Odessa, NY | 555 | 98 | 1.8% |
| Ithaca, NY | 31,399 | 117 | 17.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Crown Point, IN | 31,396 | 101 | 1.1% |
| Drexel Heights, AZ | 31,405 | 99 | 1.3% |
| Cleburne, TX | 31,440 | 92 | 7.6% |
| Saint-Constant, QC | 31,461 | n/a | |
| Opelika, AL | 31,335 | 92 | 7.6% |
| Ithaca, NY | 31,399 | 117 | 17.3% |
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