Alfred, NY vs Dunkirk, NY

Alfred, NY and Dunkirk, NY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.8% difference in their overall index. Alfred scores 75 while Dunkirk scores 71 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Alfred is $807/month compared to $905/month in Dunkirk — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Alfred has cheaper rent, Dunkirk actually has lower median home values ($91,200 vs $169,100).

Median household income in Alfred is $45,357 compared to $49,003 in Dunkirk (-7.4%). Dunkirk offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Alfred spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, less than the 22.2% in Dunkirk.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.4°F vs 48.8°F). Alfred receives more rainfall at 37.2" per year compared to 33" in Dunkirk.