Salary & Cost of Living in Ithaca, NY
Ithaca, NY: $55,993 median salary, cost of living index 136.6, $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$55,993
$27/hr
Cost of Living
136.6
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Ithaca, NY Overview
Population
32,108
Median Salary
$55,993
Average Salary
$62,712
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$452,000
Median Rent
$1,824/mo
Job Growth
+1.7%
Sales Tax
4%
Ithaca is located in New York with a population of 32,108. The median household salary is $55,993 per year ($27/hour), which is $3,391 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.7%.
Ithaca Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Ithaca, NY based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $55,993 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $34,716 | $16.69/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $55,993 | $26.92/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $79,510 | $38.23/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $99,668 | $47.92/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Ithaca Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Ithaca, NY, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$42,281
$3,523.39/month · $1,626.18/biweekly · Effective Rate: 24.5%
Gross Pay
$55,993
Federal Tax
-$4,681
State Tax
-$3,836
Local Tax
-$913
FICA
-$4,283
Net Pay
$42,281
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,666.08 | $55,993.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$390.06 | -$4,680.66 |
| New York State Tax (6.85%) | -$319.63 | -$3,835.52 |
| Local Tax (1.63%) | -$76.06 | -$912.69 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$289.30 | -$3,471.57 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$67.66 | -$811.90 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,523.39 | $42,280.67 |
Salary Comparison: Ithaca vs Other Cities
See how Ithaca's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaca, NY | $55,993 | 136.6 | $40,990 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $56,000 | 96 | $58,333 |
| Peoria, IL | $56,000 | 85 | $65,882 |
| Helena, MT | $56,000 | 95 | $58,947 |
| Grand Prairie, TX | $56,000 | 90 | $62,222 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Ithaca
Ithaca's cost of living index is 136.6 (national average = 100). Living in Ithaca is 36.599999999999994% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$452,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,824
Annual Rent Cost
$21,888
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $42,281 annual take-home pay in Ithaca has the purchasing power of approximately $30,952 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $76,486 in Ithaca to match a $55,993 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Ithaca
Ithaca's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $55,993.
Salary Tips for Ithaca Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Ithaca has a cost of living 36.599999999999994% above the national average. When negotiating salary, factor in the higher housing and living costs to ensure your real purchasing power stays competitive.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 6.85% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Ithaca's top industries include Finance, Technology, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $55,993 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Ithaca salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Ithaca-NY metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Ithaca indexed at 136.6.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Ithaca's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $55,993 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects New York state income tax (6.85%), plus Ithaca local tax of 1.63%, sales tax (4%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Ithaca: 4.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Finance, Technology, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for New York.
- Housing context: median home price $452,000, median rent $1,824/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Ithaca, NY:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Ithaca unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Ithaca QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — New York — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Ithaca's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent New York labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Ithaca, NY?
The median salary in Ithaca, NY is $55,993 per year, or $27 per hour. The average salary is $62,712. This is $3,391 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Ithaca, NY?
Ithaca's cost of living index is 136.6 (national average = 100), meaning it is 36.599999999999994% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $452,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,824.
What are the best industries in Ithaca?
The top industries in Ithaca, NY include Finance, Technology, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 1.7% and an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $55,993.
How does Ithaca's salary compare to other cities?
Ithaca's median salary of $55,993 is 5.7% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 136.6), the real purchasing power is approximately $40,990.
What is the minimum wage in Ithaca, NY?
The minimum wage in Ithaca, NY is $15.00 per hour. This equals approximately $31,200 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $7.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.