Clayton, NY vs Hawthorne, NY

The cost of living difference between Clayton, NY and Hawthorne, NY is dramatic. Clayton is 60.3% cheaper than Hawthorne, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Clayton has a cost index of 80 while Hawthorne sits at 201, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Clayton is $1,057/month compared to $3,501/month in Hawthorne — a 70% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Clayton is more affordable at $192,900 median vs $671,300.

Median household income in Clayton is $57,125 compared to $134,797 in Hawthorne (-57.6%). The higher salaries in Hawthorne partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Clayton spend roughly 22.2% of their income on rent, less than the 31.2% in Hawthorne. The Clayton ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Hawthorne is notably warmer with an average of 52°F compared to 45.3°F in Clayton. Hawthorne receives more rainfall at 47.8" per year compared to 37.1" in Clayton.