Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Ithaca, NY?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.7% of gross income.
Ithaca rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New York state estimate).
About rent and a real estate agent salary
Real estate agent pay is commission-driven and varies widely with local market conditions. The BLS mean averages high and low producers. At the national-average agent salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,640 a month in rent — though successful agents in active markets earn well above this.
Cheaper rent nearby
These New York cities have lower median rent than Ithaca, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ithaca
View full rent data for Ithaca, NY →Frequently asked questions
Can a real estate agent afford rent in Ithaca, NY?
Median rent in Ithaca is $2,038 a month. A typical real estate agent in New York earns about $74,761 a year, which makes that rent 32.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a real estate agent afford in Ithaca?
Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in New York (~$74,761/yr) supports up to $1,869 a month in rent. Ithaca's current median rent is $2,038/mo, which is $169/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Ithaca?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a real estate agent in New York works roughly 56.7 hours a month to cover Ithaca's median rent of $2,038.
Where is rent cheaper than Ithaca for a real estate agent?
Nearby New York cities with lower median rent include Saratoga Springs ($2,035/mo), Oneonta ($2,035/mo), East Amherst ($2,035/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.