Cost of Living in Ithaca, NY
Ithaca, NY — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Ithaca, NY to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Ithaca, NY vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 103.3 | +3.3% |
| Housing | 128.4 | +28.4% |
| Goods | 99.7 | −0.3% |
| Utilities | 131.6 | +31.6% |
| Other services | 97.8 | −2.2% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Ithaca, NY
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,263 | $50,520/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,466 | $58,640/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,753 | $70,120/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,102 | $84,080/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,624 | $104,960/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Ithaca, NY
- Federal income tax$4,796
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,604
- Medicare (1.45%)$843
- New York income tax$2,542
- Take-home pay$46,345
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Highest-paying jobs in Ithaca, NY
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ithaca, NY expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Ithaca, NY metro area are 103.3% of the U.S. average, with housing at 128.4%. It is the #43 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Ithaca, NY?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $61,990 in Ithaca, NY (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $58,130.
How much is rent in Ithaca, NY?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Ithaca, NY are $1,263 for a studio, $1,466 for one bedroom, $1,753 for two bedrooms and $2,102 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Ithaca, NY
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $103,220
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $159,720
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary — $102,910
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $63,610
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $37,420
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $100,320
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $45,640
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $39,220
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Waiter and Waitress — $46,090
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $34,800
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
Sales and Related Occupations
- Retail Salesperson — $35,510
- Cashier — $35,470
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $73,640
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $69,310
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $51,610
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,990
- Customer Service Representative — $45,390
- Office Clerks, General — $37,380
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $48,870
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Stocker and Order Filler — $38,810