Living in Ithaca, New York
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ithaca · Census data 2020–2024
Ithaca has 32,814 residents with a median age of 23.3. The median household income is $48,784 (43% lower than the New York median), the median home value is $342,700, the median rent is $1,447/month.
Ithaca at a glance
- Population
- 32,814
- Median age
- 23.3State: 39.8
- Median household income
- $48,784State: $85,974
- Median home value
- $342,700State: $423,800
- Median rent
- $1,447/moState: $1,621
- Homeowners
- 29.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 67.7%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Ithaca a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 19% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 43% lower than the New York median; unemployment of 7.3%; a poverty rate of 30.4%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Ithaca
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ithaca the median home value is $342,700, 3% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,447 per month, which is 41.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,368 a month in housing costs.
Ithaca median household income
The median household income in Ithaca is $48,784 and the income per person is $31,599. 30.4% of residents live below the poverty line (New York: 14%).
Housing in Ithaca: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 16,183
- Owner-occupied
- 29.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 70.4%
- Vacant
- 12.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1956
- Average household size
- 1.71
Ithaca demographics
- Population
- 32,814
- Median age
- 23.3
- Under 18
- 7.1%
- 65 and older
- 10.1%
- Households
- 14,167
- Foreign-born
- 20%
- Veterans
- 1.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ithaca ›
Education in Ithaca
67.7% of adults 25 and older in Ithaca have a bachelor's degree or higher (New York: 40.2%), and 43.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ithaca
- Unemployment rate
- 7.3%State: 6.4%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 33 min
- Work from home
- 24.7%
- Drive alone
- 29.9%
- Public transit
- 9.1%
- Walk to work
- 25.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 88%
Ithaca vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaca | 32,814 | $48,784 | $342,700 | $1,447 |
| Cayuga Heights | 4,000 | $166,526 | $433,000 | $1,700 |
| Forest Home | 1,303 | $59,018 | $499,300 | $1,379 |
| Northwest Ithaca | 2,225 | $56,753 | $312,900 | $1,185 |
| South Hill | 6,951 | $104,211 | $353,800 | $1,991 |
| East Ithaca | 1,918 | $116,410 | $332,700 | $1,234 |
| Northeast Ithaca | 2,661 | $95,250 | $402,000 | $1,738 |
| Lansing | 3,876 | $72,364 | $516,900 | $1,726 |
| Varna | 687 | $70,227 | — | $1,759 |
More for people moving to Ithaca
Ithaca ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ithaca: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ithaca, NY?
The median household income in Ithaca is $48,784, 43% lower than the New York median of $85,974 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Ithaca?
The median home value in Ithaca is $342,700, compared with $423,800 in New York.
How much is rent in Ithaca?
The median gross rent in Ithaca is $1,447 per month, about 41.3% of household income.
Is Ithaca, NY a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 19% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes. Minuses: median household income 43% lower than the New York median; unemployment of 7.3%; a poverty rate of 30.4%.
What is the median age in Ithaca?
The median age in Ithaca is 23.3 years (New York: 39.8).
How long is the commute in Ithaca?
The average commute to work in Ithaca is 19 minutes; 24.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ithaca?
The unemployment rate in Ithaca is 7.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ithaca?
67.7% of adults in Ithaca have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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