Salary Needed to Live in Ithaca as a Family

A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) needs approximately $64,379/year to live comfortably in Ithaca, NY — including 15% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$64,379
with 15% savings
Bare Minimum
$50,967
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,058
4% above national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Family in Ithaca

ExpenseIthacaNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 3BR Apartment/House Rent$257$209+23%
🛒 Groceries$48$44+9%
⚡ Utilities$28$280%
🚗 Transportation$39$44-11%
🛡️ Car Insurance$188$229-18%
🏥 Health Insurance$50$58-14%
Childcare/After-school$1,260$1,200+5%
Internet + Phones$189$180+5%
Children Activities$263$250+5%
Dining Out$368$350+5%
School Supplies & Clothing$210$200+5%
Healthcare Co-pays$158$150+5%
Total Monthly$3,058$2,942+4%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$3,058
Target savings (15%):$682/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,740
Effective tax rate:28%

Gross annual salary needed:$64,379

Other Household Types in Ithaca

Single Person
$21,484/yr
$1,110/mo expenses
Couple (No Kids)
$29,980/yr
$1,499/mo expenses
Retiree
$22,263/yr
$1,243/mo expenses

Related Pages

Living Alone in IthacaCity OverviewAfford on $75K?Afford on $100K?Cost of Living

FAQ

What salary does a family with kids need in Ithaca?
A family with kids needs approximately $64,379/year ($5,365/month gross) to live comfortably in Ithaca with a 15% savings rate.
How much is rent for a family with kids in Ithaca?
A 3br apartment/house in Ithaca costs approximately $257/month, which is the largest single expense at 8% of the total budget.
Is Ithaca affordable for a family with kids?
Ithaca is roughly average for family with kids costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.
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