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City Report · NY

Potsdam

Pop. 8,427·120th most expensive in New York·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,245/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+11.9%
vs US Median
-$720
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Potsdam · $1,245
More affordable than 90% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
43% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,245/mo, rent takes about 43% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$50,000/yr
Local median income
$34,546/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Potsdam's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$780
1 BR
$870
2 BR
$1,110
3 BR
$1,340
4 BR+
$1,470
Research median
$1,110/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
$14,940/yr
At $1,245/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +11.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Potsdam, NY is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 51.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
8,427
Median income
$34,546
Median age
21.7
Renters
65.6%
Age distribution
64.6%
13.9%
Under 187.9%
18–3464.6%
35–5413.9%
55–643.6%
65+10%
Gender
49.9%
50.1%
Male49.9%
Female50.1%
Race & ethnicity
82.4%
White82.4%
Black4.8%
Hispanic4.2%
Asian6.7%
Other1.9%
Education (25+)
20.7%
20.7%
51.8%
No HS diploma6.8%
HS diploma20.7%
Some college20.7%
Bachelor's+51.8%
Housing tenure
34.4%
65.6%
Owner34.4%
Renter65.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Potsdam, NY has changed in 5 years

Income
$32,969 → $34,546
up 4.8%
Population
8,455 → 8,427
down 0.3%
Renter share
58.9% → 65.6%
+6.7 pts
Bachelor's+
45.4% → 51.8%
+6.4 pts
Median age
21.1 → 21.7
+0.6 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $34,546 today, compared with $32,969 five years earlier. Renters now make up 65.6% of households, compared with 58.9% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 51.8% of adults here, versus 45.4% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Potsdam

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

Can you afford rent in Potsdam on your salary?

At $1,245/mo, how Potsdam rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Potsdam rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Potsdam

About renting in Potsdam, NY

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Potsdam is $1,245/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $780/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,110/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $870/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,340/mo.

At 43% of local median household income ($34,546/yr), Potsdam ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Potsdam an affordable city for renters?

Potsdam is considered stretched for renters. At $1,245/mo, rent takes approximately 43% of the local median household income ($34,546/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Potsdam significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Potsdam?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,245/mo in Potsdam. The local median household income is $34,546/yr, meaning the typical Potsdam household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Potsdam?

Rent in Potsdam has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

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

Potsdam is one of the more affordable cities in New York for rent, ranking #120 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,245/mo.

What percentage of Potsdam residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 65.6% of Potsdam households are renters, while 34.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Potsdam has a strong rental market.

How does Potsdam rent compare to the national average?

Potsdam's median rent of $1,245/mo is $720 (37%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New York, it ranks #120 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
43%
STRETCHED

At $1,245/mo, rent takes ~43% of Potsdam's median household income ($34,546/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Potsdam 43%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4–10.9%
Run the Potsdam affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Potsdam, NY

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