ZIP Code · NY

ZIP 12144

Part of Rensselaer, NY

Pop. 22,111·Rensselaer County·234th most expensive ZIP in New York

Median rent (all units)

$1,901/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.0%

Month-over-Month

+1.2%

vs US Median

-$31

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 12144 · $1,901

More expensive than 56% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,390

1 BR

$1,610

2 BR

$1,940

3 BR

$2,330

4 BR+

$2,570

Research median

$1,940/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of New York

Rent in ZIP 12144 changed +2.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 251 New York ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +5.6%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($90,738) is $2,268 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,940); a 3-bedroom is $2,330.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 12202, 2 miles away, rents for 23% less ($1,465/mo), about $5,200 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 12144. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$22,812/yr

At $1,901/mo median

Location

CityRensselaer

StateNY

CountyRensselaer County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (2.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.0% YoY, +1.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 12144 (Rensselaer, NY) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 38.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

22,111

Median income

$90,738

Median age

40.7

Renters

41%

Age distribution

19.8%

21.4%

26.4%

16.3%

16.1%

Under 1819.8%

18–3421.4%

35–5426.4%

55–6416.3%

65+16.1%

Gender

48.1%

51.9%

Male48.1%

Female51.9%

Race & ethnicity

76.5%

White76.5%

Black6.4%

Hispanic5.8%

Asian7.4%

Other3.9%

Education (25+)

23%

31.2%

38.1%

No HS diploma7.7%

HS diploma23%

Some college31.2%

Bachelor's+38.1%

Housing tenure

59%

41%

Owner59%

Renter41%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 12144 in Rensselaer, NY has changed in 5 years

Income

$85,993 → $90,738

up 5.5%

Population

21,623 → 22,111

up 2.3%

Renter share

43% → 41%

-2.0 pts

Bachelor's+

38.4% → 38.1%

-0.3 pts

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 12144 in Rensselaer, NY now reports about $90,738, up from $85,993 in 2021. The population has grown by 2.3% since 2021, moving from about 21,623 residents to roughly 22,111. Renters now make up 41% of households, compared with 43% five years ago.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 12144

About renting in ZIP 12144

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 12144 covers Rensselaer, NY. The median rent here is $1,901/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,610/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,940/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($90,738/yr), ZIP 12144 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 12144?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $76,000/year (about $37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,901/mo in ZIP 12144. The local median household income is $90,738/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 12144?

Rent in ZIP 12144 has risen 2.0% over the past year.

How does ZIP 12144 compare to other ZIPs in New York?

ZIP 12144 is one of the more affordable among New York ZIP codes for rent, ranking #234 of 334 at $1,901/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 12144 changed +2.0%, against a typical +5.6% across the 251 New York ZIP codes Zillow tracks.