Considering moving to New York? Wondering if you can make it work financially? If so, you would probably be interested in some household income information.
Fortunately, we have that information to provide to you. Without further ado, here is everything you need to know about the average household income in New York.
What’s the Average Household Income in New York State?
Because income averages are greatly affected by outliers, it’s best to use median income when assessing these matters. According to 2019 statistics from the Census Bureau, the New York median household income is $72,108. This was up from $69,074 in 2018, and $67,680 in 2018.
For comparison, the median household income across the entire United States is $65,712. So, in other words, New York is on the higher-earning side.
What’s the Per Capita Income In New York State?
According to the same 2019 statistical data used above, New York State per capita income is $41,857. This is up from $39,589 in 2018 and $38,751 in 2017.
The per capita income across the entire United States is $35,672. So, on a per-person basis, New York residents are higher earners than much of the United States.
New York Median Household Income By County
Of course, New York is a huge state with tons of income variation. Living upstate, you’re bound to make much less than if you live in the New York City metropolitan area.
As such, to give you a greater feel for the financial standing in different areas of the state, we’re going to provide you with median household income data by county. Let’s get into it.
$100,000 or Greater
There are 2 New York counties with median household incomes of $100,000 or greater. These include Nassau County ($111,000) and Putnam County ($102,000).
Nassau County is comprised of the westernmost portion of Long Island. Putnam County is comprised of picturesque villages and is located around an hour north of New York City.
$90,000 to $100,000
There are three counties in the $90,000 to $100,000 range. These include Suffolk ($97,000), Westchester ($93,000), and Rockland Counties ($91,000). Whereas Suffolk County comprises eastern Long Island, Westchester County, and Rockland County are located just north of New York City.
$80,000 to $90,000
There’s only one county in the $80,000 to $90,000 range. That county is Saratoga County ($81,000), located just north of Albany.
$70,000 to $80,000
There are two counties in the $70,000 to $80,000 group. These are Dutchess County ($78,000) and Orange County ($76,000).
Dutchess County contains the city of Poughkeepsie. Orange County is located just southwest of Poughkeepsie, about an hour north of New York City.
$60,000 to $70,000
There are quite a few counties in the $60,000 to $70,000 range. These include Rensselaer, Albany, Schenectady, Ontario, Ulster, Columbia, Tioga, and Madison Counties. These counties are upstate and include places like Albany and Schenectady.
$50,000 to $60,000
The group with the most counties in the $50,000 to $60,000 group. This group contains but isn’t limited to Genesee County, Tompkins County, Erie County, Seneca County, Niagara County, and Schuyler County.
Contained in this group are cities like Buffalo, Ithaca, and Oneonta. These are decidedly upstate counties and are comprised of many small villages.
$40,000 to $50,000
Rounding out our list is the $40,000 to $50,000 group. This group contains counties like St. Lawrence, Delaware, Chautauqua, and Allegany. These are fairly rural counties and don’t contain any major cities.
How Does New York’s Household Income Compare to the Other States?
When compared to the other states, New York’s household income is fairly high up the ladder. In 2018, it ranked 15th in median household income, trailing states like Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia, New Hampshire, Colorado, Washington, and California.
Note, though, that its median income was as much as $25,000 more than some other states. For instance, West Virginia had a median household income of $44,097 in 2018. Other states at this income level include Arkansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Louisiana.
Other states fall around $10,000 under New York’s median household income. These states include Ohio, Wisconsin, Nevada, Maine, and South Dakota.
The states that most closely resemble New York in terms of median household income include Illinois, Delaware, and Rhode Island. Other states in its wheelhouse include Utah, Oregon, and Wyoming.
Should You Move to New York?
Now, you might be wondering: should you move to New York City? Is its reasonably high median household income worth pursuing? Or is it just offset by high expenses?
In truth, it depends on which part of the state you move to. For example, in New York City, the median household income is essentially pulverized by the cost of living. You can get by on the median income but will have to scrape by in many aspects of your life.
In fact, it’s for this very reason that many individuals commute to New York City for work. They make New York City wages but can take advantage of a much lower cost of living in surrounding areas. In fact, some even live outside of the state, particularly in states like New Jersey and Connecticut.
Now, as far as Upstate New York goes, the median income tends to stretch a lot further. Because these areas aren’t seen as desirable as New York City, their rent prices tend to be substantially lower. Yes, you’ll make less in these areas, but you won’t have to spend nearly as much either.
So, in the end, it all comes down to what you’re willing to put up with. If you’re thinking about living in Upstate New York, there are no significant money issues that should stop you. If you’re thinking about living in New York City, you need to consider whether “the grind” lifestyle is right for you.
To get a better picture of your potential situation, make use of this salary calculator.
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