A Riverside Town Known As One Of New York's Friendliest Has A Below Average Cost Of Living

Not to be confused with Greenwich Village in Manhattan, New York, Greenwich is a small town alongside the Battenkill River in Washington County, New York and, according to World Atlas, it is one of New York's friendliest towns. Imbued with natural amenities like the aforementioned river, the eyecatching Dionondahowa waterfalls, and even hikeable trails over rolling hills — Greenwich has something to offer across all four seasons. Plus, aside from being one of New York's friendliest places, it's also one of the most affordable.

Everything from the cost of owning a home in Greenwich — taking the expense of an average mortgage, utilities, and even maintenance into consideration — to the average rents, comes at a serious discount compared to other parts of the state. In fact, according to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the cost of living in Washington County, New York is almost 50% less than the cost of living for New York state.

According to calculations from the EPI, the average monthly cost of living in Washington County for a single person in 2024 was $4,074 per month, or $48,889 per year. This calculation includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other miscellaneous needs. It's worth noting that, for couples with no kids, that amount goes up to $5,473 or $65,674 per year. 

However, when compared with the $95,286 cost of living in New York State (according to GoBankingRates), and the average U.S. cost of living in 2023, which according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, was $77,280 (not factoring in the inflation that has occurred since that calculation) it's easy to see how much more affordable Greenwich is, not just in comparison to New York state, but also to the U.S. in general. So while retiring in New York could cost retirees, it's important to realize that New York isn't one of the most expensive states to live in either. You just need to know where to look. 

According to Realtor.com, the median listed cost of a home in New York City is $825,000 in 2025. With that said, the median cost of sold homes was closer to $749,000. However, even this lower amount still represents a cost differential of almost $330,000 compared to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis' 2024 Q4 data showing the U.S. median sold home price was $419,200. Plus, Zillow lists the current average sold price for New York state homes at $481,517 with a median listing price of $619,333. All of this is to say, housing prices should be a significant factor when considering life in Greenwich.

Per Coldwell Banker, the average list price for homes in Greenwich is $339,300. However, a look at homes for sale in Greenwich reveals a mix of properties like a 1,400 square foot three bedroom home for $239,500 and a two-story one bedroom for $165,000. However, it's important not to let society pressure you into buying a home, in Greenwich or otherwise, meaning renting might be a better fit. Rentals start at around $1,200 per month in Greenwich depending on what you're looking for. Whether you want a family home or a smaller house of one, Greenwich has affordable choices.