City Report · NY

Oswego

Pop. 17,033·107th most expensive in New York·Oswego rents are up 14.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,415/mo
Year-over-Year
+14.8%
Month-over-Month
-0.9%
vs US Median
-$550
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Oswego · $1,415
More affordable than 81% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
32% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,415/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$57,000/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
Research median
$1,300/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$16,980/yr
At $1,415/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 14.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+14.8% YoY, -0.9% 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 $1,415/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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Oswego is $1,415/mo as of July 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 32% of local median household income ($53,172/yr), Oswego ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 14.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Oswego an affordable city for renters?

Oswego is considered moderate for renters. At $1,415/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($53,172/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Oswego slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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 $57,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,415/mo in Oswego. The local median household income is $53,172/yr, meaning the typical Oswego household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Oswego?

Rent in Oswego has increased 14.8% over the past year as of July 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 #107 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,415/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 $1,415/mo is $550 (28%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New York, it ranks #107 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $1,415/mo, rent takes ~32% of Oswego's median household income ($53,172/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Oswego 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4–10.9%
Run the Oswego affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Oswego
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Oswego, NY

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