New York has a variety of landscapes, including bustling cities like the Hudson River Valley, the Adirondack Mountains and the Big Apple. This blend of natural beauty and metropolitan lifestyle creates a unique state filled with options for those considering living there. If New York sounds like a state to you, you may also be interested in what cities fit into your budget. As of August, the median home sales price in New York was $576,400.
If that number is outside your budget, don’t worry. There are options to help you find a home. Redfin has collected 11 of the most affordable locations in New York. And the best part is that they all have a median home selling price of less than $576,400. Find out which cities made the list, from Syracuse to Rochester.
#1: Rochester
Median home price: $152,000
Average selling price per square foot: $100
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,489
Median household income: $37,395
Homes for Sale in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York apartments for rent
The median home selling price is $152,000, and Rochester ranks number one on the list of affordable locations in New York. The Rochester area has around 211,300 residents, giving it a city-like atmosphere without the prices of a big city. If Rochester is the city for you, explore the powerful National Play Museum and the George Eastman Museum, wander around the High Falls area and check out the Rochester Public Market.
>>Read: Popular Rochester, New York, and the neighborhood
#2: Utica
Median home price: $160,000
Average selling price per square foot: $103
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,525
Median household income: $42,624
Nearest Major Metro: Syracuse (50 miles)
Home for Sale in Utica, New York
Utica Apartment Rentals, New York
Utica is number two on the list of affordable cities to live in New York. Around 65,300 people reside in Utica, with a median home sales price of $160,000, about $40,000 less than the median home sales in New York. If you are moving here, head to Roscoe Conkling Park where you can find the trails, the Utica Zoo and golf courses, check out the museums and performing arts centres, and explore the Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area.
#3: Syracuse
Median home price: $185,000
Average selling price per square foot: $97
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,259
Median household income: $38,893
Nearest Major Metro: Rochester (90 miles)
Houses in Syracuse, New York
Apartments in Syracuse, New York are available for rent
The third on our list is Syracuse, with the median home selling price of $185,000. Syracuse, the closest metro to the metro, about 90 miles from Rochester, lives in the area of Syracuse, with around 148,600 residents. Living in Syracuse, you can discover exhibits at museums such as the Erie Canal Museum, the Everson Museum, and the Science and Technology Museum. Also, explore Em Mills Rose Garden in Thornden Park or check out Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
#4: Schenectady
Median home price: $199,950
Average selling price per square foot: $117
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,660
Median household income: $47,773
Nearest Major Metro: Albany (22 miles)
Schenectady, New York home sale
Schenectady, New York apartment rental
The recognizable city is Schenectady, with home prices around $375,000 less than the state average. Schenectady has around 67,000 residents, making it the perfect city to consider living this year. There’s a lot to do with Schenectady. Visit green spaces like Vale Park and Central Park, find trails, tennis courts and swimming pools, explore the downtown area, and check out the innovation and science museums among many other local favorites.
#5: Greece
Median home price: $207,000
Average selling price per square foot: $155
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,250
Median household income: $89,192
Nearest Major Metro: Rochester (9 miles)
Home sales in New York, Greece
Apartments in Greece and New York are available for rent
Greece is a little more expensive than Schenectady. It’s outside of Rochester, so it’s close to the city’s activities and picturesque waterfront. There are a few things you’d like to check out in Greece, like the Greek Canal Park, as well as local shops, restaurants and parks.
#6: Irondequoit
Median home price: $221,500
Average selling price per square foot: $174
Median household income: $63,647
Nearest Major Metro: Rochester (5 miles)
Irondequoit in New York, Home for Sale
Irondequoit, NY Apartments for Rent
It is Irondequoit who claims the sixth spot on the list of affordable places to live in New York. With a population of nearly 51,000, Irondequoit is the perfect area to live in. This isn’t as big as New York’s major cities. Don’t miss out on spending your day at Irondequoit Bay Park West, check out the historic Seabreeze Amusement Park and enjoy views of the Irondequoit Bay Outlet Pier and Beach.
#7: Troy
Median home price: $230,000
Average selling price per square foot: $117
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,696
Median household income: $89,192
Nearest Major Metro: Albany (10 miles)
Home for Sale in Troy, New York
Troy Apartment Rentals, New York
If you’re looking for an affordable place to add Troy to your list of cities and move to New York, consider living there. With 51,400 people living in this affordable town, Troy is a great option to consider when trying to stay in New York without paying insurance premiums in a big city home. Living in Troy, explore the charming downtown Troy, check out Prospect Park, and watch the show at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.
#8: Albany
Median home price: $249,000
Average selling price per square foot: $155
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,600
Median household income: $48,512
Home for Sale in Albany, New York
Apartments in Albany, New York are available for rent
Another great place to consider living in New York is Albany, with a population of around 99,200. Popular things in Albany include visiting the historic New York State Capitol building and checking out Corning Preserves along the Hudson River. You can also explore nature at Albany Pine Bush Preserve and take a stroll through downtown where you can find museums, shops and restaurants.
#9: Clay
Median home price: $297,500
Average selling price per square foot: $179
Median household income: $50,966
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,895
Nearest Major Metro: Syracuse (14 miles)
New York clay home for sale
Clay Apartments Rentals in New York
If you have lived in New York for a while, it’s likely you know clay. Nearly 60,500 residents call this affordable city a home. In one of the outskirts of Syracuse, the town has a lot to do. For example, you can check out Oneida Shores County Park in Brewerton or explore the Oneida River.
#10: Colony
Median home price: $335,000
Average selling price per square foot: $237
Median household income: $92,238
Nearest Major Metro: Albany (6 miles)
Home for Sale in New York Colony
Apartments for apartments in Colony, New York
It is Colonies that claim the 10th spot on the list of affordable places to live in New York. The city has a population of 85,600 and you can stop by parks like Cook Park to check out the town’s shops and restaurants. There is always something to do while living in a colony.
#11: Mount Vernon
Median home price: $550,000
Average selling price per square foot: $244
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,900
Median household income: $59,291
Nearest Major Metro: New York (15 miles)
Mount Vernon, New York Home for Sale
Mount Vernon Apartments Rental, New York
The last city on New York’s list of most affordable locations is Mount Vernon. The median home selling price is $550,000 and its population is 73,900, and there are many reasons why they could persuade them to move to Mount Vernon. There are also many activities to do, including spending an afternoon at Wilson’s Woods Park, exploring the Scout Fields, and enjoying a meal at one of the local restaurants. Just north of the Bronx Borough, you can easily access everything New York City has to offer.
Methodology: Every city has over 50,000 residents per US census and should have a median home selling price under the average median home selling price in New York. Median home sales prices and median sales prices per square foot from Redfin Data Center in April 2025. Average rental data from April 2025. Median household income data from the population and US Census Bureau.
