These Are the Most Affordable Towns in the Hudson Valley

Renters and buyers will love this comprehensive guide to the best, cheapest cities to live in around the Hudson River.

When it comes to finding a place to live, the Hudson Valley has something for everyone. Yes, the region boasts artsy estates, one-of-a-kind converted homes, and even a few abodes with celebrity-fueled histories. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending upon how you look at it), the area north of New York City has options for the rest of us, too. As buying a home continues to be a challenge (hello, seller’s market!) and renting becomes an increasingly popular alternative, select Hudson Valley towns shine as affordable contenders.

To narrow down the best wallet-friendly hometowns in the Valley, we considered average rental and home costs, referring to Realtor.com, Rent Café, Trulia, and Zillow. We also weighed factors like crime rate, location, attractions, and area income to determine which cities deserve your real estate dollars. Read on to see the most affordable spots in the Hudson Valley.

Empire State Plaza
The Capital District Tourism Gnome admires the modern art and reflecting pools of the Empire State Plaza in Albany, New York.Henry Bellagnome from Troy, New York, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Albany

As one of the northernmost points of the Hudson Valley region, Albany is an upstate metropolis with a little something for everyone. While it is a distance from prominent mid-Valley hotspots like Beacon and New Paltz, it boasts more than enough attractions to lure budding entrepreneurs and professionals who want to make moves in the increasingly creative business scene. For renters, Albany is apartment gold. While rent prices from $1,441 to $1,557 in the past year, that number is not nearly as high as other urban centers of the Hudson Valley (cough, cough…Poughkeepsie). Prospective homeowners have it pretty swell as well, with median home value running right around $276,823. Plus, with a number of suburbs surrounding the city, Albany is a great choice for families and individuals who crave the best of city living and suburban comforts all at once.

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In terms of cultural to-dos, Albany is a mecca for arts and entertainment. The Palace Theatre is a must for top-billing performers and celebrity guests, while The New York State Museum is ideal for visitors who want to peek into the state’s iconic history. As for food, Albany boasts every cuisine under the sun, from Americana at 677 Prime to Southern fare at The Cuckoo’s Nest.

Related: Here’s Where to Get the Best Brunch in Albany

Cornwall-On-Hudson Elementary School. Wikimedia Commons/Daniel Case
Cornwall-On-Hudson Elementary School. Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cornwall-on-Hudson

Located on the shore of the Hudson River, Cornwall-on-Hudson is a frontrunner on our list of value-for-money locales. The average cost for a rental is $1,337 (up slightly from $1,146 from last year), a price that will get you about 800 sq ft of space. Aspiring homeowners have it slightly less sweet, with a medium home value of $478,389. Home values have risen 6.3 percent in the past year, making Cornwall-on-Hudson one of the most expensive places to buy a house on this list (although that price is still significantly lower than nearby cities like Tuxedo). To put things in perspective, in the 25 to 44 age bracket, $125,769 is the median income in town.

As for things to do, Cornwall-on-Hudson is a hop, skip, and jump away from some of the region’s top cultural attractions. Storm King Art Center is right next-door, as is Bannerman Castle and the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. Residents can spend the weekend at any of the area’s numerous coffee shops before grabbing a slice at one of the local pizzerias for dinner.

Related: Ogle Larger-Than-Life Art at Local Sculpture Parks

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City Winery Hudson Valley
City Winery. Photo by Adam Pass, courtesy of City Winery

Montgomery

Montgomery is a dream for renters who want a central location and bargain prices. With an approximate rental cost of $1,460 for an 893-sq-ft apartment, a one-bedroom is within reach in this affordable Orange County town. If you’re looking to buy a home in the region, houses are somewhat more costly in town, with the median listing price at $429,900. (Don’t forget about the power of negotiation! The median sale price is $378,000.) Plus, while Montgomery is not as close to the Hudson River as, say, Newburgh, its inland location means homeowners can often secure more land than they would elsewhere.

As for things to do in and around the area, there’s significantly more than you might think. City Winery is one of the hottest attractions in the whole Hudson Valley, and it just so happens to be right in town. There’s also a host of parks in the surrounding landscape, making it the perfect spot for nature lovers.

Related: City Winery Is Vino Paradise on a Historic Orange County Property

Ellenville
Buildings on Canal Street (NY 52) in Ellenville, NY, USA, contributing properties to the Ellenville Downtown Historic District. Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ellenville

Thanks to its proximity to the Shawangunk Ridge, Ellenville is one of those Hudson Valley towns that lures hikers and nature lovers who dream of a Catskills escape. A small and charming locale, Ellenville is a dream for outdoor explorers in search of walks along the rail trail and weekend treks to Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Rent is competitive — a 962-sq-ft apartment here costs only $1,418 – although it should be noted that this is a fair increase from $1,174 the previous year. Homeowners should seriously consider Ellenville as a viable city to put down roots as well. Average home value sit affordably around $238,509, and stock on the market often features a fair amount of land, too.

In terms of outdoor attractions, Ellenville is a paradise for weekenders and residents alike. The village is primely located next to Witch’s Hole State Park, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Awosting Reserve, and the Shawangunk Ridge State Forest. It’s precisely the place to marvel the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley at its finest.

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Related: 25 Under-the-Radar Things to Do in the Hudson Valley

Eveready-diner
Photo by Sabrina Sucato

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of those towns that is primed to blow up in popularity at any moment. For now, it lives in the serene intersection between Poughkeepsie and Rhinebeck. With nearby attractions, an abundance of dining options, and a proximity to some of the region’s top schools, the affordable town may or may not be the Hudson Valley’s best-kept secret. For potential renters, average rent prices have only gone up ever so slightly from $1,459 in 2022 to $1,518. That price gets you about 762 sq ft, although you may be able to score more if you shop around. Homeowners have it fairly sweet, too, with median sale prices running around $357,000. As a bonus, the neighborhood boasts strong public school districts in a relatively safe community.

As for cultural venues, there are so many things to do in and around Hyde Park that it’s hard to know where to begin. The Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill is in the heart of the town, while FDR’s home, The Culinary Institute of America, and Marist College rest along the border. Locals are spoiled with dining options, thanks to their proximity to one of the top culinary institutions in the world. The Eveready Diner is a must, as is every single one of the restaurants on the CIA’s campus.

Related: Discover the Secret Garden at This Historic Hyde Park Estate

Kingston
Rondout Creek in Kingston. Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kingston

Have we mentioned what a gem Kingston is? With a prime location along the Hudson River, not to mention the too-cool Stockade District, it’s an affordable town in which putting down roots is a piece of cake. A one-bedroom averages about $1,510, a slight increase from $1,352 in 2022. Just as apartment prices are up, so too are home values, which are currently averaging a $399,000 listing price and a $333,000 sale price. Buy now, watch home value rise later?

Another perk to living in Kingston is the abundance of historic sites and hip eateries in the area. The Hudson River Maritime Museum and the Rondout Lighthouse are great picks for families, while PAKT and Diego’s Taqueria will satisfy everyone’s cravings.

Related: How to Spend a Day in Kingston

Walden
Looking south (upstream) in the Wallkill River north of Walden, NY, USA. A small cairn built during the dry summer of 2016 stands in the foreground. Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Walden

Walden may not be on the radar for Hudson Valleyites outside of Orange County, but it is a dream destination for renters and buyers of all ages. As a quieter, affordable town on the northern border of the county, Walden offers some of the most competitive rental rates in the Valley. Prices are on the rise, up slightly from $1,268 last year, but an average space still ranks affordably at $1,293 for 563 sq ft. Anyone looking to buy a home in Walden should waste no time. The median listing price is $389,900, so you just may be able to find a deal if you keep your eyes on the ever-changing market.

Even though it’s located in one of the more serene corners of Orange County, Walden is a top spot for food and culture (did we mention Angry Orchard is the main attraction in town?). With a median household income falling just below $73,000, reasonable rates are the secret to this city’s success. As long as you’re okay with being slightly away from the riverfront, Walden is the place for you.

Related: Explore These 27 Breathtaking Waterfalls in the Hudson Valley

Menands. affordable towns
Fall leaves in St. Agnes cemetery (Menands, NY). ronmcc, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Menands

When it comes to affordable towns in the Hudson Valley, Menands is hot. The average cost for rentals, $1,327, will get you a reasonable 849 sq ft of space. Those looking for a home of their own may face a more challenging market, however. Average prices have soared over the past year from just about $300,000 to $487,500 for an average listing price on a house that is smack between Albany and Troy.

Property in Menands is an increasingly valuable commodity for Capital Region residents, who recognize the locale’s proximity to Albany International Airport and Albany’s thriving craft beverage scene. With Fort Orange Brewing and top-notch brunches nearby, Menands residents always have something exciting to look forward to each weekend.

Related: Here’s Where to Get the Best Brunch in Albany

River St Troy. affordable towns
River Street, oldest section of downtown Troy, NY, USA. ​English Wikipedia user Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Troy

Albany isn’t the only upper Hudson Valley city with a happening social scene. Don’t believe us? Just check out Troy’s thriving downtown. The riverside city leads the way with local tech, which is why coworking spaces are popular options for entrepreneurs and startups who want to work in a productive environment. On the rent end of things, now is the time to scoop up an apartment in Troy. Prices rose slightly from $1,320 in 2022 to $1,427 in 2023. As for home costs, they’re not too shabby either. Median home values currently rest at $248,078, which means purchasing your own property may very well be more affordable than renting in the long run.

In terms of attractions in this affordable town, there’s no shortage of things to do in Troy. Whether you explore the history at the Rice Building or catch a show at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, you’ll love wandering through the area’s hidden – and not so hidden – corners. As for food, upscale Americana bar grub reigns supreme at spots like The Ruck and Brown’s Brewing Company.

Related: What to Do on a Day Trip to Troy

Warren St Hudson. affordable towns
Warren Street looking east, Hudson, New York, USA. Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hudson

Rounding out the list of affordable towns is Hudson, the Columbia County town that charms locals and visitors alike. In terms of living accommodations, a 971-sq-ft rental will set you back $1,675 per month. House prices are the steepest on this list, running about $467,500 per home sale and $525,000 per home listing.

Whether you choose to live in Hudson or visit for just a day (P.S. It’s very day-trippable), there’s no end of activities to add to the itinerary. Spend part of the day hopping in and out of the bounty of antique shops and art galleries in town, then pop over to Olana State Historic Site for history and views. For arts and music lovers, Hudson Hall is a delight, so check the website for the most up-to-date schedule.

Related: Follow This 24-Hour Guide to Hudson

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