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City Report · NY

Rensselaer

Pop. 9,287·78th most expensive in New York·Rensselaer rents are up 5.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,951/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.8%
Month-over-Month
-1.0%
vs US Median
-$11
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Rensselaer · $1,951
More expensive than 56% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
33% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,951/mo, rent takes about 33% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$78,000/yr
Local median income
$70,080/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Rensselaer's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,160
1 BR
$1,320
2 BR
$1,600
3 BR
$1,930
4 BR+
$2,120
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,600/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,951 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
$23,412/yr
At $1,951/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (5.8% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.8% YoY, -1.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Rensselaer, NY is majority renter-occupied, 26.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
9,287
Median income
$70,080
Median age
36.7
Renters
56.7%
Age distribution
21.3%
26%
23.9%
14.4%
14.3%
Under 1821.3%
18–3426%
35–5423.9%
55–6414.4%
65+14.3%
Gender
47%
53%
Male47%
Female53%
Race & ethnicity
69.2%
White69.2%
Black8%
Hispanic8%
Asian10.3%
Other4.5%
Education (25+)
29%
33%
26.1%
No HS diploma11.9%
HS diploma29%
Some college33%
Bachelor's+26.1%
Housing tenure
43.3%
56.7%
Owner43.3%
Renter56.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Rensselaer, NY has changed in 5 years

Income
$66,136 → $70,080
up 6.0%
Population
9,330 → 9,287
down 0.5%
Renter share
58.1% → 56.7%
-1.4 pts
Bachelor's+
31.8% → 26.1%
-5.7 pts
Median age
37.3 → 36.7
-0.6 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $70,080 today, compared with $66,136 five years earlier. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 31.8% to 26.1% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Rensselaer

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

Can you afford rent in Rensselaer on your salary?

At $1,951/mo, how Rensselaer rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Rensselaer rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Rensselaer

About renting in Rensselaer, NY

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Rensselaer is $1,951/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,160/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,600/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,320/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,930/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($70,080/yr), Rensselaer ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Rensselaer an affordable city for renters?

Rensselaer is considered moderate for renters. At $1,951/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($70,080/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Rensselaer slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Rensselaer?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $78,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,951/mo in Rensselaer. The local median household income is $70,080/yr, meaning the typical Rensselaer household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Rensselaer?

Rent in Rensselaer has increased 5.8% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

Rensselaer is middle-of-the-pack for New York for rent, ranking #78 out of 125 tracked cities at $1,951/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Rensselaer?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Rensselaer ($1,951/mo): Watervliet ($1,476/mo), Albany ($1,635/mo), Cohoes ($1,768/mo).

What percentage of Rensselaer residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 56.7% of Rensselaer households are renters, while 43.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Rensselaer has a strong rental market.

How does Rensselaer rent compare to the national average?

Rensselaer's median rent of $1,951/mo is $11 (1%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New York, it ranks #78 out of 125 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $1,951/mo, rent takes ~33% of Rensselaer's median household income ($70,080/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Rensselaer 33%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4–10.9%
Run the Rensselaer affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Rensselaer, NY

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