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Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

Cost of living in Rensselaer County, NY

Part of the Albany Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,586/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 160,341 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,230 34%
Federal tax $669 19%
Healthcare $480 13%
Groceries $404 11%
Transport $320 9%
State tax $220 6%
Energy $208 6%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Rensselaer County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,074
per month
1 bedroom
$1,230
per month
2 bedroom
$1,487
per month
3 bedroom
$1,792
per month
4 bedroom
$1,971
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Rensselaer County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$86,663
per year
Individual earnings
$50,958
per year
Per capita
$45,113
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Rensselaer County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$244,300
Annual property tax
$5,357

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Rensselaer County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$140
per month · 23.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$68
per month
Annual total
$2,496
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Rensselaer County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.3%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Rensselaer County

State and local tax rates for New York.

State income tax
10.9%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.0%
Combined sales tax
8.5%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Rensselaer County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
23.9 min
Drive alone
72.6%
Public transit
2.4%
Work from home
12.5%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Rensselaer County

What it costs to live in Rensselaer County each month.

Single person
$3,586
per month
  • Rent $1,230
  • Energy $208
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $404
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $669
  • State tax $220
Couple
$5,229
per month
  • Rent $1,487
  • Energy $250
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $669
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,088
  • State tax $386
Family
$7,739
per month
  • Rent $1,792
  • Energy $312
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $1,016
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,088
  • State tax $386

Frequently asked questions about Rensselaer County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Rensselaer County?

In Rensselaer County, NY, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,230 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,487 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,792 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Rensselaer County?

In Rensselaer County, NY, the average household income is $86,663 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $50,958 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Rensselaer County?

The estimated cost of living in Rensselaer County, NY is approximately $3,586 per month for a single person, $5,229 for a couple, $7,739 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Rensselaer County?

The combined sales tax rate in Rensselaer County, NY is 8.52%, which includes the New York state rate of 4.00% plus an average local rate of 4.52%.

Is Rensselaer County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Rensselaer County, NY would need approximately $3,586 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $86,663 per year ($7,222 per month). Rensselaer County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Rensselaer County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Rensselaer County, NY is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.3% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Rensselaer County?

The average home value in Rensselaer County, NY is $244,300, with average annual property taxes of $5,357, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Rensselaer County compare to other areas?

You can compare Rensselaer County, NY with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Rensselaer County is in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area.

Other counties in New York

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About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources