Living in Saranac Lake, New York
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Saranac Lake · Census data 2020–2024
Saranac Lake has 4,965 residents with a median age of 40.7. The median household income is $61,967 (28% lower than the New York median), the median home value is $199,900, the median rent is $853/month.
Saranac Lake at a glance
- Population
- 4,965
- Median age
- 40.7State: 39.8
- Median household income
- $61,967State: $85,974
- Median home value
- $199,900State: $423,800
- Median rent
- $853/moState: $1,621
- Homeowners
- 47.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 46.8%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Saranac Lake a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 53% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 3%.
Cons: Median household income 28% lower than the New York median; a poverty rate of 17.7%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Saranac Lake
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Saranac Lake the median home value is $199,900, 40% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $853 per month, which is 24.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,644 a month in housing costs.
Saranac Lake median household income
The median household income in Saranac Lake is $61,967 and the income per person is $38,920. 17.7% of residents live below the poverty line (New York: 14%).
Housing in Saranac Lake: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,819
- Owner-occupied
- 47.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 52.8%
- Vacant
- 9.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 1.88
Saranac Lake demographics
- Population
- 4,965
- Median age
- 40.7
- Under 18
- 16.6%
- 65 and older
- 21.4%
- Households
- 2,542
- Foreign-born
- 2.1%
- Veterans
- 7.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Saranac Lake ›
Education in Saranac Lake
46.8% of adults 25 and older in Saranac Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher (New York: 40.2%), and 22.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Saranac Lake
- Unemployment rate
- 3%State: 6.4%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 33 min
- Work from home
- 8.9%
- Drive alone
- 67.8%
- Public transit
- 0.8%
- Walk to work
- 11%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.4%
Saranac Lake vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saranac Lake | 4,965 | $61,967 | $199,900 | $853 |
| Lake Placid | 2,306 | $41,612 | $400,000 | $1,102 |
| Wilmington | 904 | $90,625 | $307,000 | $1,179 |
| Tupper Lake | 2,929 | $56,902 | $117,300 | $779 |
| Au Sable Forks | 369 | $52,656 | $130,800 | $792 |
| Redford | 340 | $98,958 | $70,500 | — |
| Elizabethtown | 721 | $64,583 | $188,100 | $741 |
| Long Lake | 716 | $71,827 | $275,000 | $817 |
| Lyon Mountain | 312 | $47,143 | $45,800 | $682 |
More for people moving to Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Saranac Lake: FAQ
What is the median household income in Saranac Lake, NY?
The median household income in Saranac Lake is $61,967, 28% 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 Saranac Lake?
The median home value in Saranac Lake is $199,900, compared with $423,800 in New York.
How much is rent in Saranac Lake?
The median gross rent in Saranac Lake is $853 per month, about 24.5% of household income.
Is Saranac Lake, NY a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 53% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 3%. Minuses: median household income 28% lower than the New York median; a poverty rate of 17.7%.
What is the median age in Saranac Lake?
The median age in Saranac Lake is 40.7 years (New York: 39.8).
How long is the commute in Saranac Lake?
The average commute to work in Saranac Lake is 16 minutes; 8.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Saranac Lake?
The unemployment rate in Saranac Lake is 3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Saranac Lake?
46.8% of adults in Saranac Lake 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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