There’s a substantial number of New York cities where a $3,000 monthly budget affords Americans a comfortable retirement. A new original research study from GOBankingRates has identified 25 such cities where the monthly cost of living is less than $3,000 and each locale boasts high livability scores.
GOBankingRates used the U.S. Census American Community Survey to identify various New York cities and sourced the cost of living indexes for each one. The total cost of living for each city was calculated using each area’s average mortgage and expenditure costs. Any locations with a monthly cost of living of $3,000 or more were removed. Each city’s livability index was next sourced, and the cities were ranked by highest livability first. For those cities that tied, the cheaper option was ranked.
Here are the 25 best New York cities to retire on $3,000 a month. And if you don’t plan to retire in New York, find out which U.S. cities are best for retiring on a $3,000 monthly budget.
1. Fredonia
- Median household income: $47,694
- Average home value: $206,365
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $1,132
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,668
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,799
- Livability: 82
Learn More: GOBankingRates Original Research Center
See Next: 5 Clever Ways Retirees Are Earning Up To $1K per Month From Home
2. Gloversville
- Median household income: $49,155
- Average home value: $169,062
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $927
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,791
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,718
- Livability: 78
That’s Interesting: Here’s How Much You Need To Retire With a $100K Lifestyle
Be Aware: Retirement Net Worth: How Your Savings Compare to the Average Retiree
3. Utica
- Median household income: $51,513
- Average home value: $200,053
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $1,097
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,761
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,858
- Livability: 78
Find Out: The Realistic Minimum Retirement Savings Needed, According to Experts
4. East Rochester
- Median household income: $72,036
- Average home value: $222,463
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $1,220
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,742
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,962
- Livability: 78
5. Binghamton
- Median household income: $44,331
- Average home value: $179,405
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $984
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,724
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,708
- Livability: 77
6. Johnstown
- Median household income: $62,333
- Average home value: $195,223
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $1,070
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,794
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,864
- Livability: 77
Read Next: What Is a Good Monthly Retirement Income?
7. Geneva
- Median household income: $68,242
- Average home value: $214,727
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $1,177
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,716
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,893
- Livability: 77
8. Syracuse
- Median household income: $45,845
- Average home value: $206,024
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $1,130
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,815
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,944
- Livability: 77
9. Johnson City
- Median household income: $51,667
- Average home value: $155,904
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $855
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,724
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,579
- Livability: 76
Explore More: The Most Common Retirement Mistake, According to an Expert
10. Rochester
- Median household income: $46,628
- Average home value: $227,200
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $1,246
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,751
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,997
- Livability: 76
11. Cortland
- Median household income: $55,368
- Average home value: $196,354
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $1,077
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,732
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,809
- Livability: 75
12. Lyons
- Median household income: $66,543
- Average home value: $166,952
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $915
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,709
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,624
- Livability: 74
Discover Next: How Much the Average Upper-Class Retiree Claims in Social Security Benefits at Age 65
13. Canton
- Median household income: $62,438
- Average home value: $185,791
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $1,019
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,742
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,761
- Livability: 74
14. Medina
- Median household income: $63,972
- Average home value: $168,984
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $927
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,714
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,641
- Livability: 73
15. Waterloo
- Median household income: $52,404
- Average home value: $179,532
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $984
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,673
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,658
- Livability: 73
View More: 4 Retirement Expenses Boomers Didn’t Plan For — but Should Have
16. Potsdam
- Median household income: $32,061
- Average home value: $174,764
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $958
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,730
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,688
- Livability: 73
17. Endwell
- Median household income: $72,742
- Average home value: $209,811
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $1,150
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,737
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,887
- Livability: 73
18. Auburn
- Median household income: $49,377
- Average home value: $210,193
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $1,152
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,748
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,900
- Livability: 73
Trending Now: Savings Needed To Be Rich in America’s Most Popular Retirement Destinations
19. Plattsburgh
- Median household income: $53,962
- Average home value: $241,085
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $1,322
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,668
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,990
- Livability: 73
20. Wellsville
- Median household income: $51,005
- Average home value: $118,365
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $649
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,682
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,331
21. Dunkirk
- Median household income: $49,003
- Average home value: $129,491
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $710
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,662
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,372
- Livability: 72
See Next: 25 Cities Where You Can Retire in Great Weather for $2,000 a Month
22. Pulaski
- Median household income: $62,733
- Average home value: $206,525
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $1,132
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,784
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,917
- Livability: 72
23. Canastota
- Median household income: $71,250
- Average home value: $215,617
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $1,182
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,737
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,919
- Livability: 72
24. Bolivar
- Median household income: $53,317
- Average home value: $103,512
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $568
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,687
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,255
- Livability: 71
For You: 6 Key Signs You’ll Run Out of Retirement Funds Too Early
25. Massena
- Median household income: $48,810
- Average home value: $118,018
- Average mortgage cost (monthly): $647
- Average expenditure cost (monthly): $1,706
- Total cost of living (monthly): $2,353
- Livability: 71
Find more original studies and surveys in the GOBankingRates original research center.
Photo disclaimer: Photos are for illustrative purposes only. In many cases, the closest major city outside of the city/county mentioned in the article was used.
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities in New York to find the best places to retire on $3,000 a month. Using the U.S. Census American Community Survey, cities in New York were identified along with their total population, population ages 65 and over, total households and median household income. For each location, the cost of living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces, and by using the national average expenditure costs for retired households as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for retired consumer units, the average expenditure cost can be calculated for each city. The average single family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index. Assuming a 10% down payment and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage cost was calculated for each city. Using the average mortgage and expenditure costs, the total cost of living for each city was calculated and all locations with a monthly cost of living over $3,000 were removed. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes. The cities were sorted to show the highest livability index first (when two livability tied, the cheaper option was the higher ranked). These represent the best cities to retire on $3,000 a month. All data was up to date as of Jan. 7, 2026.
More From GOBankingRates
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 25 Best New York Cities To Retire on $3,000 a Month
