Chatham, NY vs Gates, NY

Chatham, NY and Gates, NY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Chatham scores 93 while Gates scores 94 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 Chatham is $1,034/month compared to $1,525/month in Gates — a 32% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chatham has cheaper rent, Gates actually has lower median home values ($159,900 vs $306,300).

Median household income in Chatham is $86,625 compared to $54,003 in Gates (+60.4%). Chatham offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chatham spend roughly 14.3% of their income on rent, less than the 33.9% in Gates. The Chatham ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Gates is notably warmer with an average of 49.5°F compared to 46.1°F in Chatham. Chatham receives more rainfall at 44.2" per year compared to 35.1" in Gates.