Considered to be one of our country’s more expensive states to live in, residents of cities and towns in New York are constantly vocalizing their thoughts on our taxes and earned income. Per the United States Census Bureau, the New York cities featured below have the lowest per capita or median household income, making them the poorest cities in New York. Each featuring its own attractions and characteristics, you may very well be surprised to see which cities in the Empire State are technically the poorest cities in New York.

  1. Kiryas Joel

Wikimedia Commons Not only did Kiryas Joel have one of the lowest incomes in the state, it also came in as having the lowest per capita income out of any other location in America with a population of over 10,000 residents. The community is mostly made up of Hassidic Jews out in Orange County, with the average resident making just over $4,000 per year. Kiryas Joel, NY, USA

  1. Buffalo

eBomb716/Flickr A city you may be surprised to see make this list, Buffalo is the biggest city in New York with the highest percent of low-income residents. As stated in reports that considered a large city to be a location that has over 250,00 residents, Buffalo came in at number six on the list of America’s top ten large cities. Buffalo is said to have 30.4% of its residents living below the poverty line, with the average resident making roughly $15,000 per year. Don’t let the city’s place on this list deter you from visiting, though. As stated before, it’s been dubbed one of the best big cities in America and is a great destination for a weekend getaway in New York. Buffalo, NY, USA

  1. Oneonta

Wikimedia Commons Out in Otsego County in Central New York, Oneonta’s residents are only making an average income of just over $12,000 per year. The small city that often feels like one of the most charming little towns in New York rather than one of the poorest cities in New York, is in close proximity to several colleges, but that’s not its only claim to fame. Nicknamed “The City of Hills”, the area has plenty to offer and a surprising amount of delicious restaurants to be discovered, which is why Oneonta, like Buffalo, is billed as a great choice for a weekend getaway in New York. Oneonta, NY 13820, USA

  1. Newburgh

Doug Kerr/Flickr Sadly, this city seems to always make our not-so-cheery lists. With residents making an average annual income of just over $13,000. Found along the Hudson River in Orange County, many traveling across New York will make this their halfway point between the Big Apple and Albany. Newburgh, NY 12550, USA

  1. Ithaca

vadikunc/Flickr New York’s “City of Waterfalls” has landed itself on the list of our state’s poorest cities. With residents making roughly $13,500 per year, the Tompkins County location can be found on the southern end of Cayuga Lake. With a population of over 30,000 residents and so much to see and do in the area, it’s interesting to see this city have such a low-income level. In spite of its economic status, Ithaca is often billed as one of the best places to live in New York. Ithaca, NY, USA

  1. Cortland

Dimitri Ponirakis/Flickr If you haven’t yet caught on to the trending pattern then let us point out that almost all of New York’s low-income cities can be found upstate. Residents out near the Finger Lakes who call the city of Cortland home make an average annual income of around $14,000. Holding a population of roughly 20,000 residents, the city is one of the smaller ones you’ll find within the Empire State. And while earning potential is limited in Cortland, the opportunities for fun aren’t. Cortland is home to Greek Peak Mountain Resort, one of the best outdoor attractions in New York. Cortland, NY 13045, USA

  1. Elmira

Wikimedia Commons The sweet city of Elmira out along our Southern Tier has a population of just under 30,000 residents. Making an average of income of $15,000 per year, Elmira is considered to be one of the poorest cities in New York. Located in Chemung County not far from the state border, those living in the city have plenty of beautiful attractions and parks to visit in the surrounding areas of the Finger Lakes and Western New York. Elmira, NY, USA

  1. Little Falls

Bruce Schwierske/Flickr With a population of just under 5,000 residents, it’s easy to see how many people in our state haven’t even heard of this small city! Those who live in Little Falls have an average annual income of approximately $15,000. Built on both sides of New York’s Mohawk River, this teensy little city can be found out in Herkimer County. Little Falls, NY 13365, USA

  1. Syracuse

David Wilson/Flickr One of the largest cities in New York, over 145,000 residents call Syracuse their home. Forever bleeding orange, this Central New York location is full of life. From its well-known university and amazing places to eat to some of the best opportunities for outdoor adventure in New York, Syracuse is a wonderful place to visit to say the absolute least. Those who live here are reported to make an average annual income of about $15,000. Syracuse, NY, USA

  1. Utica

David Wilson/Flickr One of those city’s that’s not too big or too small but just right, Utica has a population of over 62,000 residents. Right off of the New York State Thruway and on the Mohawk River, those who live here have the perk of being not too far from both our state Capitol and the city of Syracuse. With an average annual income of about $15,000, it earns the title of being one of the poorest cities in New York. Utica, NY, USA

  1. Rochester

Wikimedia Commons Sitting on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, a population of over 210,000 residents makes Rochester New York’s third largest city. One of our country’s very first boom towns, residents living in the city are reported to have an average annual income of approximately $16,000. Featuring beautiful urban waterfalls along the Genesee River and plenty of history throughout the city, Rochester is a place that you shouldn’t write off just for these unfortunate statistics. In fact, in spite of these statistics, it’s been named one of the best cities in America. Rochester, NY, USA

  1. Niagara Falls

Wikimedia Commons A beautiful city to see lit up at night, Niagara Falls is rhetorically a location within New York that holds a ton of natural beauty. From the American Falls and Niagara Gorge and Whirlpool to Niagara Falls State Park (which, by the way, is often referred to as the best state park in New York), there’s a lifetime’s worth of natural attractions waiting to be discovered here. The city has a total population of just over 50,000 residents who are reported to have an average annual income of about $16,000. Niagara Falls, NY, USA

So, did it surprise you to see any of these cities make our list? Did you know these were the poorest cities in New York? What other towns would you assume are among the poorest places in New York? Ever been to any of the cities mentioned above? Whatever you have to say, we want to hear it, so share your thoughts with us!

Wikimedia Commons

Not only did Kiryas Joel have one of the lowest incomes in the state, it also came in as having the lowest per capita income out of any other location in America with a population of over 10,000 residents. The community is mostly made up of Hassidic Jews out in Orange County, with the average resident making just over $4,000 per year.

Kiryas Joel, NY, USA

eBomb716/Flickr

A city you may be surprised to see make this list, Buffalo is the biggest city in New York with the highest percent of low-income residents. As stated in reports that considered a large city to be a location that has over 250,00 residents, Buffalo came in at number six on the list of America’s top ten large cities. Buffalo is said to have 30.4% of its residents living below the poverty line, with the average resident making roughly $15,000 per year. Don’t let the city’s place on this list deter you from visiting, though. As stated before, it’s been dubbed one of the best big cities in America and is a great destination for a weekend getaway in New York.

Buffalo, NY, USA

Out in Otsego County in Central New York, Oneonta’s residents are only making an average income of just over $12,000 per year. The small city that often feels like one of the most charming little towns in New York rather than one of the poorest cities in New York, is in close proximity to several colleges, but that’s not its only claim to fame. Nicknamed “The City of Hills”, the area has plenty to offer and a surprising amount of delicious restaurants to be discovered, which is why Oneonta, like Buffalo, is billed as a great choice for a weekend getaway in New York.

Oneonta, NY 13820, USA

Doug Kerr/Flickr

Sadly, this city seems to always make our not-so-cheery lists. With residents making an average annual income of just over $13,000. Found along the Hudson River in Orange County, many traveling across New York will make this their halfway point between the Big Apple and Albany.

Newburgh, NY 12550, USA

vadikunc/Flickr

New York’s “City of Waterfalls” has landed itself on the list of our state’s poorest cities. With residents making roughly $13,500 per year, the Tompkins County location can be found on the southern end of Cayuga Lake. With a population of over 30,000 residents and so much to see and do in the area, it’s interesting to see this city have such a low-income level. In spite of its economic status, Ithaca is often billed as one of the best places to live in New York.

Ithaca, NY, USA

Dimitri Ponirakis/Flickr

If you haven’t yet caught on to the trending pattern then let us point out that almost all of New York’s low-income cities can be found upstate. Residents out near the Finger Lakes who call the city of Cortland home make an average annual income of around $14,000. Holding a population of roughly 20,000 residents, the city is one of the smaller ones you’ll find within the Empire State. And while earning potential is limited in Cortland, the opportunities for fun aren’t. Cortland is home to Greek Peak Mountain Resort, one of the best outdoor attractions in New York.

Cortland, NY 13045, USA

The sweet city of Elmira out along our Southern Tier has a population of just under 30,000 residents. Making an average of income of $15,000 per year, Elmira is considered to be one of the poorest cities in New York. Located in Chemung County not far from the state border, those living in the city have plenty of beautiful attractions and parks to visit in the surrounding areas of the Finger Lakes and Western New York.

Elmira, NY, USA

Bruce Schwierske/Flickr

With a population of just under 5,000 residents, it’s easy to see how many people in our state haven’t even heard of this small city! Those who live in Little Falls have an average annual income of approximately $15,000. Built on both sides of New York’s Mohawk River, this teensy little city can be found out in Herkimer County.

Little Falls, NY 13365, USA

David Wilson/Flickr

One of the largest cities in New York, over 145,000 residents call Syracuse their home. Forever bleeding orange, this Central New York location is full of life. From its well-known university and amazing places to eat to some of the best opportunities for outdoor adventure in New York, Syracuse is a wonderful place to visit to say the absolute least. Those who live here are reported to make an average annual income of about $15,000.

Syracuse, NY, USA

One of those city’s that’s not too big or too small but just right, Utica has a population of over 62,000 residents. Right off of the New York State Thruway and on the Mohawk River, those who live here have the perk of being not too far from both our state Capitol and the city of Syracuse. With an average annual income of about $15,000, it earns the title of being one of the poorest cities in New York.

Utica, NY, USA

Sitting on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, a population of over 210,000 residents makes Rochester New York’s third largest city. One of our country’s very first boom towns, residents living in the city are reported to have an average annual income of approximately $16,000. Featuring beautiful urban waterfalls along the Genesee River and plenty of history throughout the city, Rochester is a place that you shouldn’t write off just for these unfortunate statistics. In fact, in spite of these statistics, it’s been named one of the best cities in America.

Rochester, NY, USA

A beautiful city to see lit up at night, Niagara Falls is rhetorically a location within New York that holds a ton of natural beauty. From the American Falls and Niagara Gorge and Whirlpool to Niagara Falls State Park (which, by the way, is often referred to as the best state park in New York), there’s a lifetime’s worth of natural attractions waiting to be discovered here. The city has a total population of just over 50,000 residents who are reported to have an average annual income of about $16,000.

Niagara Falls, NY, USA

Craving some more head-turning statistics? Then you’ll want to take a look at the 10 most dangerous places in New York after dark. Or, perhaps you’d like to switch gears and take a peek at the richest cities in New York.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Poorest Cities In New York December 28, 2022 Daniella DiRienzo What are the poorest counties in New York? The poorest places in New York extend beyond towns and cities. Here are some of the poorest counties in New York:

Chemung County Allegany County Franklin County St. Lawrence County

  What are the richest cities in New York? These cities are among the richest cities in New York:

Plandome Scarsdale Brookville Tuxedo Park

The OIYS Visitor Center

Poorest Cities In New York

December 28, 2022

Daniella DiRienzo

What are the poorest counties in New York? The poorest places in New York extend beyond towns and cities. Here are some of the poorest counties in New York:

Chemung County Allegany County Franklin County St. Lawrence County

  What are the richest cities in New York? These cities are among the richest cities in New York:

Plandome Scarsdale Brookville Tuxedo Park

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The poorest places in New York extend beyond towns and cities. Here are some of the poorest counties in New York:

  • Chemung County
  • Allegany County
  • Franklin County
  • St. Lawrence County

 

What are the richest cities in New York?

These cities are among the richest cities in New York:

  • Plandome
  • Scarsdale
  • Brookville
  • Tuxedo Park