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Ithaca, NY

Cost of living in Tompkins County, NY

Part of the Ithaca Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,501/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 102,879 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,489 43%
Healthcare $480 14%
Federal tax $455 13%
Groceries $404 12%
Transport $250 7%
Energy $208 6%
State tax $160 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Tompkins County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,320
per month
1 bedroom
$1,489
per month
2 bedroom
$1,702
per month
3 bedroom
$2,051
per month
4 bedroom
$2,353
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Tompkins County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$73,012
per year
Individual earnings
$37,870
per year
Per capita
$42,505
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Tompkins County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$271,500
Annual property tax
$6,374

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Tompkins 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 Tompkins County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.2%

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 Tompkins 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 Tompkins County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
20.5 min
Drive alone
53.3%
Public transit
5.4%
Work from home
19.0%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Tompkins County

What it costs to live in Tompkins County each month.

Single person
$3,501
per month
  • Rent $1,489
  • Energy $208
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $404
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $455
  • State tax $160
Couple
$5,086
per month
  • Rent $1,702
  • Energy $250
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $669
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $865
  • State tax $321
Family
$7,640
per month
  • Rent $2,051
  • Energy $312
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $1,016
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $865
  • State tax $321

Frequently asked questions about Tompkins County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Tompkins County?

In Tompkins County, NY, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,489 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,702 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,051 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Tompkins County?

In Tompkins County, NY, the average household income is $73,012 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $37,870 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Tompkins County?

The estimated cost of living in Tompkins County, NY is approximately $3,501 per month for a single person, $5,086 for a couple, $7,640 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Tompkins County?

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

Is Tompkins County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Tompkins County, NY would need approximately $3,501 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $73,012 per year ($6,084 per month). Tompkins County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Tompkins County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Tompkins County, NY is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.2% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Tompkins County?

The average home value in Tompkins County, NY is $271,500, with average annual property taxes of $6,374, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Tompkins County compare to other areas?

You can compare Tompkins County, NY with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Tompkins County is in the Ithaca, NY metro area.

Other counties in New York

Browse the full list of counties in New York, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in New York

Compare Tompkins County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

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