Alfred, NY vs Chatham, NY

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Alfred is 19.6% cheaper than Chatham. With a cost index of 75 vs 93, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Alfred to Chatham should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Alfred is $807/month compared to $1,034/month in Chatham — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Alfred is more affordable at $169,100 median vs $306,300.

Median household income in Alfred is $45,357 compared to $86,625 in Chatham (-47.6%). While Chatham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Alfred spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, more than the 14.3% in Chatham.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.4°F vs 46.1°F). Chatham receives more rainfall at 44.2" per year compared to 37.2" in Alfred.