Cheapest Places to Live in New York 

10 Cheapest Places To Live In New York in 2022

• Celeron
• Bridgeport
• Ilion
• Weston Mills
• Hornell
• Port Byron
• Ogdensburg
• Falconer
• Attica
• Mohawk

Celeron

Median home value: $56,900

Median Household Income: $42,030

Celeron is a quiet village in Chautauqua County, located in the Western tip of the state, adjacent to the city of Jamestown. With shockingly low housing costs, Celeron tops the list as the most affordable city in New York State. Situated on Chautauqua Lake, about 40 minutes from Lake Erie, Celeron is a peaceful waterside village with a small-town atmosphere. It definitely isn’t the best destination for commuters as the closest cities, Buffalo and Cleveland, Ohio, are both over an hour away. But if you’re looking for a quaint village with a low cost of living, Celeron offers a tight-knit community and a high quality of life. 

Bridgeport

Median home value: $85,400

Median Household Income: $59,119

Bridgeport is a hamlet located in between the towns of Sullivan and Cicero in Madison and Onondaga Counties. Often considered a suburb of Syracuse, Bridgeport is home to roughly 1500 residents. With some of the lowest rents in the state and a median home value far below the national average, Bridgeport is among the cheapest places to live in New York. But the town also offers a variety of employment opportunities, and the median household income is not too far below the statewide average. Residents have easy access to Oneida Lake and the city of Syracuse, offering a good blend of outdoor recreation and urban conveniences. Bridgeport tops the list for the cheapest suburb in New York and offers the perfect atmosphere to raise a family. 

Ilion

Median home value: $81,900

Median Household Income: $54,397

Illion is a village located in Herkimer County, just south of the Mohawk River and the Erie Canal. With median home values far below the country as a whole and a general cost of living at about 22% lower than the national average, Illion is one of the most affordable cities in New York State. It offers a low rate of crime, a high rate of homeownership, and plenty of family-friendly activities nearby. Plus, it offers a central location, just 20 minutes from Utica and about an hour from Syracuse or Albany. 

Weston Mills

Median home value: $81,800

Median Household Income: $52,991

Weston Mills is a small hamlet in the towns of Portville and Olean in Cattaraugus County. Located along the Allegheny River, not far from the Pennsylvania border, Weston Mills offers a peaceful, small-town atmosphere with plenty of recreation. Housing prices in the town are pretty low, yet there are high employment and job growth rates, making the town very affordable. It may not be the best for your professionals and commuters, as the closest city, Buffalo, is over an hour and a half away by car. But Weston Mills is a wonderful destination for families and retirees with a relaxed pace of life and excellent public schools. 

Hornell

Median Home Value: $67,500

Median Household Income: $42,562

Hornell is a city on the western edge of Steuben County, about 55 miles south of Rochester. Nicknamed the Maple City, Hornell is known for its large maple trees and pastoral beauty. Median home values are much lower than the country as a whole, and the cost of living is about 30% cheaper. Unfortunately, due to its somewhat isolated location in the southwestern portion of the state, there aren’t as many job opportunities as in some other towns on the list. However, the local St. James Mercy Hospital does provide employment for those in the healthcare field. But Hornell does offer gorgeous scenery, excellent schools, and a tight-knit community where residents can rely on each other. 

Port Byron 

Median Home Value: $86,300

Median Household Income: $54,318

Port Byron is a small village in Cayuga County, situated just north of the Finger Lakes. Once a key port on the Erie Canal, Lock Complex Number 52 in Port Byron was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. Situated right along I-90 and Highway 31, residents of Port Byron enjoy easy access to Syracuse, Rochester, Oswego, and Lake Ontario. Plus, the city has been ranked among the best places in Cayuga County to raise a family with a low crime rate and high rate of homeownership.  

Ogdensburg

Median home value: $67,900

Median Income: $41,965

Ogdensburg is a city in St. Lawrence County, located on the New York and Canada border. Situated along the St. Lawrence River at the mouth of the Oswegatchie River, Ogdensburg is a bustling Port City with plenty to do. The Ogdensburg-Prescott Bridge offers direct access to Ottawa, the capital of Canada. Property values in Ogdensburg are considerably cheaper than the rest of the country, and the cost of living is nearly 75% cheaper than the state overall. Ogdensburg’s northern location may make it a bit too cold for some. But it does offer scenic beauty and a proud local heritage.  

Falconer

Median Home Value: $69,900

Median Household Income: $40,481

Falconer is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, within the town of Ellicott, east of Jamestown. It’s a quiet town with a family-friendly atmosphere and plenty of things to do close by. Chautauqua Lake and Lake Erie are both close by, and the town is just a short drive from the Pennsylvania border. Plus, the nearby city of Jamestown provides more amenities and employment opportunities. Home values and rents in Falconer are considerably lower than the state and country as a whole, and the overall cost of living is about 30% cheaper than the national average.  

Attica

Median Home Value: $104,900

Median Household Income: $60,843

Attica is a town in Wyoming County in western New York. Known for the maximum-security prison that shares its name, many residents are employed by the facility. But this creates a stable economy, where the cost of living is still quite low compared to the statewide average. Attica is about 45 minutes from Buffalo and just under an hour from Rochester, providing more economic opportunities for residents. While not quite as cheap as some of the other towns on the list, the median household income in Attica is also closer to the national average, making the buying power of residents much higher as well. 

Mohawk

Median home value: $136,800

Median Household Income: $47,063

Mohawk is a town in Herkimer County, named after the adjacent Mohawk River, which runs through central New York. In a prime location along the NY State Throughway, Mohawk is positioned halfway between Syracuse and Albany. Property values and rent in Mohawk are very affordable, and the cost of living is about 16% lower than the national average and about 44% cheaper than the state as a whole. Mohawk is known for its breathtaking scenery and variety of parks, ponds, and other outdoor attractions. Plus, its close proximity to other local cities makes it great for families, retirees, and young professionals.  

Cheapest Places To Live In New York Comparison

Methodology for Selecting Cheapest Places to Live in New York

This list was compiled by analyzing data based on the local consumer price index, median home values, median rent prices, and household income. The rankings were based on the ratio between household income and home values. So, towns with slightly higher property values may rank higher on the list if median income is higher as well. Affordability is not only judged by a lower cost of living but the actual buying power of the average resident.