F
13%
Overall NAT. AVG.
13%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
13%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Poughkeepsie New York National
Cost of living113117100
Goods & Services113108100
Groceries105102100
Health care110103100
Housing113145100
Transportation102105100
Utilities131100100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Poughkeepsie, NY

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Poughkeepsie? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Poughkeepsie stands at 113, making it 13% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Poughkeepsie, you you will have to spend 12.9% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Poughkeepsie?

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 7 residents in Poughkeepsie to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 14% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 86% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Poughkeepsie Affordable?

Is Poughkeepsie an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Poughkeepsie is 10.4% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 18.8% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Poughkeepsie has a median household income of $47,008, which is 15% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Poughkeepsie?

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Poughkeepsie, the general sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates begin at 4%.

Where is the Data From?

The Poughkeepsie cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Poughkeepsie is 4% lower than the New York average
  • The cost of living in Poughkeepsie is 13% higher than the national average
  • Poughkeepsie housing is 13% higher than the national average
  • New York general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • New York state income tax is 54% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Poughkeepsie

See all the best places to live around Poughkeepsie

Compare Poughkeepsie, NY Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$79,976$6,665$1,866$2,400
      Renters$35,221$2,935$822$1,057
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Poughkeepsie, NY, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Poughkeepsie, homeowners have a median income of $79,976. Using that number, a maximum of $1,866 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $35,221, which means there is a maximum of $822 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      New York Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      New York 4% 8.875%

      New York Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      New York 4% 10.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Poughkeepsie National avg. Difference
      Haircut $32.33$24.2633.3%
      Beauty Salon $48.56$45.566.6%
      Toothpaste $3.66$3.701.1%
      Shampoo $1.50$1.2817.4%
      Movie $13.76$12.1313.4%
      Bowling $19.63$18.009.0%

      Groceries

      Item Poughkeepsie National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.34$5.848.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.4%
      Milk $4.73$4.671.2%
      Potatoes $5.03$4.931.9%
      Pizza $10.07$12.0916.7%
      Beer $10.62$10.412.0%

      Health Care

      Item Poughkeepsie National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $140.10$125.6811.5%
      Doctor $143.23$135.785.5%
      Dentist $123.00$113.298.6%
      Ibuprofen $11.00$10.653.3%
      Lipitor $401.34$468.6014.4%

      Housing

      Item Poughkeepsie National avg. Difference
      Home Price $204,000.00$184,700.0010.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,857.27$2,346.6920.9%
      Apartment Rent $1,127.00$949.0018.8%

      Transportation

      Item Poughkeepsie National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.33$3.463.7%
      Tire Balancing $57.68$59.923.7%

      Utilities

      Item Poughkeepsie National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $281.67$193.9945.2%
      Phone $185.16$192.253.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rifton, NY50611212.4%
      Salt Point, NY19011212.4%
      High Falls, NY4151065.7%
      Newburgh, NY28,1461087.6%
      Rosendale Hamlet, NY1,2451021.7%
      Poughkeepsie, NY30,34111312.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      North Tonawanda, NY30,3388811.9%
      Garner, NC30,3451054.9%
      Atwater, CA30,33611615.9%
      Cibolo, TX30,33311010.2%
      Milford Mill, MD30,35511110.9%
      Poughkeepsie, NY30,34111312.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.