Cheapest Places to Live in New York (2026)
Looking for the most affordable cities in New York? We ranked 15 New York cities by median home value. The cheapest is Niagara Falls (~$134,500); the New York median is $333,000.
Most affordable cities in New York
Ranked by median home value, lowest first:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Niagara Falls | $134,500 | $97 |
| 2 | Elmira | $141,500 | $92 |
| 3 | Binghamton | $190,500 | $115 |
| 4 | Syracuse | $220,500 | $161 |
| 5 | Rochester | $249,000 | $163 |
| 6 | Buffalo | $257,000 | $178 |
| 7 | Troy | $267,000 | $171 |
| 8 | Schenectady | $294,500 | $213 |
| 9 | Albany | $330,000 | $186 |
| 10 | Mount Vernon | $575,000 | $318 |
Most expensive cities in New York
The priciest New York markets by median home value:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Neck | $1,566,000 | $696 |
| 2 | White Plains | $804,000 | $425 |
| 3 | New Rochelle | $781,000 | $321 |
| 4 | New York | $770,000 | $628 |
| 5 | Yonkers | $680,000 | $317 |
| 6 | Mount Vernon | $575,000 | $318 |
| 7 | Albany | $330,000 | $186 |
| 8 | Schenectady | $294,500 | $213 |
| 9 | Troy | $267,000 | $171 |
| 10 | Buffalo | $257,000 | $178 |
How we rank New York cities
Rankings use the typical (median) home value for each city from public market data (Realtor.com & Zillow research). Affordability also depends on incomes, taxes, and cost of living — see each city page for local detail. Directional estimates, not appraisals.
Explore all New York home values, estimate any home with the Home Value Estimator, or see where your budget goes furthest nationwide.
New York affordability: FAQ
What is the cheapest place to live in New York? +
Based on median home value, Niagara Falls is among the most affordable cities in New York, with a typical home around $134,500 — well below the New York median of $333,000.
What is the most expensive city in New York? +
By median home value, Great Neck is among the priciest in New York, with a typical home around $1,566,000.
Is New York an affordable place to live? +
The median home value in New York is about $333,000 (15% more expensive than the U.S. median of $289,000), but prices vary widely by city — from around $134,500 to $1,566,000.