Living in Rensselaer, New York
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Rensselaer · Census data 2020–2024
Rensselaer has 9,287 residents with a median age of 36.7. The median household income is $70,080 (18% lower than the New York median), the median home value is $208,900, the median rent is $1,219/month.
Rensselaer at a glance
- Population
- 9,287
- Median age
- 36.7State: 39.8
- Median household income
- $70,080State: $85,974
- Median home value
- $208,900State: $423,800
- Median rent
- $1,219/moState: $1,621
- Homeowners
- 43.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26.1%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Rensselaer a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 4.6%.
Cons: Median household income 18% lower than the New York median; a poverty rate of 17.9%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Rensselaer
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Rensselaer the median home value is $208,900, 37% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,219 per month, which is 25.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,546 a month in housing costs.
Rensselaer median household income
The median household income in Rensselaer is $70,080 and the income per person is $38,895. 17.9% of residents live below the poverty line (New York: 14%).
Housing in Rensselaer: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 4,890
- Owner-occupied
- 43.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 56.7%
- Vacant
- 12.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1960
- Average household size
- 2.16
Rensselaer demographics
- Population
- 9,287
- Median age
- 36.7
- Under 18
- 21.3%
- 65 and older
- 14.3%
- Households
- 4,281
- Foreign-born
- 9.8%
- Veterans
- 4.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Rensselaer ›
Education in Rensselaer
26.1% of adults 25 and older in Rensselaer have a bachelor's degree or higher (New York: 40.2%), and 8.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Rensselaer
- Unemployment rate
- 4.6%State: 6.4%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 33 min
- Work from home
- 14.2%
- Drive alone
- 71.5%
- Public transit
- 5.4%
- Walk to work
- 1.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.6%
Rensselaer vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rensselaer | 9,287 | $70,080 | $208,900 | $1,219 |
| Hampton Manor | 5,334 | $98,364 | $239,400 | $1,188 |
| Menands | 4,505 | $80,583 | $271,300 | $1,414 |
| Albany | 100,492 | $61,986 | $234,700 | $1,216 |
| East Greenbush | 6,581 | $118,393 | $303,400 | $1,753 |
| Loudonville | 10,527 | $142,829 | $391,200 | $1,829 |
| Roessleville | 10,968 | $96,058 | $264,500 | $1,416 |
| Wynantskill | 3,487 | $108,558 | $293,400 | $1,200 |
| Watervliet | 10,287 | $57,919 | $179,700 | $1,083 |
More for people moving to Rensselaer
Rensselaer ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Rensselaer: FAQ
What is the median household income in Rensselaer, NY?
The median household income in Rensselaer is $70,080, 18% 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 Rensselaer?
The median home value in Rensselaer is $208,900, compared with $423,800 in New York.
How much is rent in Rensselaer?
The median gross rent in Rensselaer is $1,219 per month, about 25.3% of household income.
Is Rensselaer, NY a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 4.6%. Minuses: median household income 18% lower than the New York median; a poverty rate of 17.9%.
What is the median age in Rensselaer?
The median age in Rensselaer is 36.7 years (New York: 39.8).
How long is the commute in Rensselaer?
The average commute to work in Rensselaer is 22 minutes; 14.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Rensselaer?
The unemployment rate in Rensselaer is 4.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Rensselaer?
26.1% of adults in Rensselaer 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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