C+

Colden, NY

Source:

Affordability Score: 63/100

Population: 2,219 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Colden, NY aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 2,219 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C+ (63/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $87,431, median home value of $338,500, median rent of $970 per month, and 37.8% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,343 per month (studio $1,105, 1BR $1,139, 3BR $1,640, 4BR $1,869). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $15,028 per year, consuming 17% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Colden, NY include rent. Unemployment currently reads 0.0% and poverty 8.6% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income B
$87,431
Median household income
Education B-
37.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing D
3.9x
Home value $338,500 vs income
Commute N/A
N/A
Average commute time
Rent A-
$1,343/mo
2BR fair market rent (18% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare D
$15,028/yr
Center-based infant care (17% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$87,431
▲ 41% vs national
Per Capita Income
$51,703
Unemployment Rate
0.0%
Poverty Rate
8.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
$338,500
▲ 23% vs national
Median Rent
$970/mo
Owner Occupied
90.4%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,343/mo
▲ 12% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,105
1BR
$1,139
2BR
$1,343
3BR
$1,640
4BR
$1,869

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
37.8%
▲ 8 ppt vs national
High School+
73.7%
Median Age
52.5
Avg. Commute

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$15,028/yr
17% of income
Toddler (Center)
$14,300/yr
Preschool (Center)
$13,260/yr
School-Age (Center)
$11,180/yr

What This Means

Colden, NY receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (63/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 2,219. This area performs well in rent. Data was unavailable for commute, safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Colden ZIP Codes
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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Colden, NY affordable?
Colden, NY receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (63/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $87,431. Median home value is $338,500.
What is the cost of living in Colden?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $970/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,343/mo. Infant childcare $15,028/yr. Median home value $338,500.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →