At $1,187/mo, rent takes about 41% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,187 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($34,546) is $864 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a studio ($780); a 1-bedroom is $870.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Potsdam. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Potsdam, NY has changed in 5 years
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.
Discussions about Potsdam
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Potsdam on your salary?
At $1,187/mo, how Potsdam rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Potsdam rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Potsdam. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Potsdam
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Potsdam is $1,187/mo as of October 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 41% 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Potsdam?
Is rent going up or down in Potsdam?
How does Potsdam rent compare to other cities in New York?
At $1,187/mo, rent takes ~41% of Potsdam's median household income ($34,546/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Potsdam.
No discussions yet.