Cost of Living in Orleans County, New York

$877/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$126,200

Median Home Value

23% below state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$877/mo

23% below state average

Median Home Value

$126,200

55% below national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

26.0%

% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating

Unaffordable

Rent over 50% of income

How Orleans County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Orleans County$877/mo

New York Average$1,133/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$877/mo

Median Gross Rent

$126,200

Median Home Value

$1,082/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

26.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Orleans County, New York

Orleans offers some of New York's best deals

Orleans County residents spend just 16.5% of their income on rent, beating the national affordability benchmark and offering genuine housing relief. With a median rent of $877 and median household income of $63,838, the county delivers value despite lower-than-average wages.

Among New York's most affordable counties

Orleans County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio outperforms the state average of 17.6%, placing it among New York's most livable housing markets. At just $877 per month median rent—$256 below state average—Orleans delivers clear cost-of-living advantages for budget-conscious families.

Orleans undercuts neighbors on all fronts

Orleans's $877 rent ranks lowest among all comparison counties, beating even Oneida ($917) and Oswego ($943) by substantial margins. The 16.5% rent-to-income ratio ties with Oswego while beating the state average, making Orleans an exceptional value play in Western New York.

Lower income, lower costs create balance

Orleans households earn $63,838 annually—below state and national medians—but pay just $877 in rent, creating a sustainable 16.5% housing burden. Owner costs of $1,082 per month pair with modest home values of $126,200, keeping both rental and ownership accessible.

Orleans delivers Western NY's best value

For relocators prioritizing affordability, Orleans County offers the lowest rents ($877) and strongest rent-to-income ratio (16.5%) in Western New York. Compared to Orange County's 19.9% burden or even Ontario's 16.9%, Orleans frees up income for savings or quality of life across all earning levels.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Orleans County

Your Annual Household Income

Rent Burden

16.5%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,490

per month

Owner Cost Burden

20.3%

of gross income

You can likely afford the median home in Orleans County

Median home value is $126,200. Estimated monthly cost: $1,007 vs. your max of $1,490.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio16.5%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Orleans County, New York?

Orleans County, New York has a median monthly rent of $877/mo and a median home value of $126,200. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 26.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in Orleans County?

The median gross rent in Orleans County is $877/mo. This is 23% below state average for New York.

Is Orleans County affordable?

Orleans County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 26.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does Orleans County's rent compare to the state average?

Orleans County's median rent of $877/mo is 23% below state average of $1,133/mo for New York.

What is the median home value in Orleans County?

The median home value in Orleans County, New York is $126,200. This is 55% below the national median home value of $281,900.