Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Ithaca and Kingston, New York. Using New York's 1.72% property tax rate and $2,100/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Ithaca
Kingston
Median Home Price
$325K
$325K
Population
32,108
23,420
Average Rent
$1,480/mo
$1,420/mo
Est. Monthly Mortgage (P&I)
$1,849/mo
$1,849/mo
Est. Monthly Property Tax
$466/mo
$466/mo
Est. Monthly Insurance
$175/mo
$175/mo
Est. Total PITI
$2,612/mo
$2,612/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.3
19.1
Verdict
Ithaca and Kingston are nearly identical in monthly housing costs, with only $0/month separating them. Your choice should come down to lifestyle, commute, and neighborhood preferences rather than cost.
Monthly Payment Comparison
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses New York's 1.72% property tax rate.
Ithaca
Home Price$325,000
Down Payment (10%)$32,500
Loan Amount$292,500
Monthly P&I$1,849
Monthly Property Tax$466
Monthly Insurance$175
Monthly PMI$122
Total PITI$2,612/mo
Annual property tax: $5,590
Kingston
Home Price$325,000
Down Payment (10%)$32,500
Loan Amount$292,500
Monthly P&I$1,849
Monthly Property Tax$466
Monthly Insurance$175
Monthly PMI$122
Total PITI$2,612/mo
Annual property tax: $5,590
Which City Is Better For...
First-Time Buyers
Kingston is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $325K versus $325K in Ithaca. That's $0 less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $11K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in Kingston, compared to $11K in Ithaca. New York offers the SONYMA Achieving the Dream program (Up to $15,000 DPAL) which applies in both cities.
Real Estate Investment
Ithaca has the better price-to-rent ratio at 18.3x versus 19.1x in Kingston. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Ithaca is $1,480/month on a $325K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Families
Ithaca (pop. 32,108) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Kingston (pop. 23,420) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Families on a budget may prefer Kingston, where lower housing costs free up more income for childcare, education, and savings.