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City Report · NY

Oswego

Pop. 17,033·113th most expensive in New York·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,282/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.6%
Month-over-Month
-9.4%
vs US Median
-$680
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Oswego · $1,282
More affordable than 89% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,282/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$51,000/yr
Local median income
$53,172/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Oswego's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$950
1 BR
$1,060
2 BR
$1,300
3 BR
$1,590
4 BR+
$1,790
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,300/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,282 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,384/yr
At $1,282/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 3.6% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+3.6% YoY, -9.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Oswego, NY is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 26.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
17,033
Median income
$53,172
Median age
35.7
Renters
49.8%
Age distribution
21.9%
27%
21.6%
18.3%
Under 1821.9%
18–3427%
35–5421.6%
55–6411.2%
65+18.3%
Gender
49.2%
50.8%
Male49.2%
Female50.8%
Race & ethnicity
90.8%
White90.8%
Black1%
Hispanic5.6%
Asian1.1%
Other1.4%
Education (25+)
35.6%
29.6%
26.1%
No HS diploma8.7%
HS diploma35.6%
Some college29.6%
Bachelor's+26.1%
Housing tenure
50.2%
49.8%
Owner50.2%
Renter49.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Oswego, NY has changed in 5 years

Income
$47,847 → $53,172
up 11.1%
Population
17,105 → 17,033
down 0.4%
Renter share
47.6% → 49.8%
+2.2 pts
Bachelor's+
27% → 26.1%
-0.9 pts
Median age
36.9 → 35.7
-1.2 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $53,172 today, compared with $47,847 five years earlier. Renters now make up 49.8% of households, compared with 47.6% five years ago.

Community

Discussions about Oswego

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View Oswego rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Oswego on your salary?

At $1,282/mo, how Oswego rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Oswego rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Oswego. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Oswego

About renting in Oswego, NY

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Oswego is $1,282/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $950/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,300/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,060/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,590/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($53,172/yr), Oswego ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Oswego an affordable city for renters?

Oswego is considered affordable for renters. At $1,282/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($53,172/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Oswego falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Oswego?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,282/mo in Oswego. The local median household income is $53,172/yr, meaning the typical Oswego household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Oswego?

Rent in Oswego has increased 3.6% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Oswego rent compare to other cities in New York?

Oswego is one of the more affordable cities in New York for rent, ranking #113 out of 125 tracked cities at $1,282/mo.

What percentage of Oswego residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 49.8% of Oswego households are renters, while 50.2% are owner-occupied. Oswego leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Oswego rent compare to the national average?

Oswego's median rent of $1,282/mo is $680 (35%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New York, it ranks #113 out of 125 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,282/mo, rent takes ~29% of Oswego's median household income ($53,172/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Oswego 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4–10.9%
Run the Oswego affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Oswego, NY

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