Below Average CostVery SafeCARTHAGE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Median Income
$80,305
household / year
Median Home Value
$209,800
owner-occupied
Median Rent
$1,146
gross / month
Cost of Living
90
national avg = 100
Is Black River, NY a Good Place to Live?
Black River is a small town of 1,660 in New York, with a median household income of $80,305
and a 21.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Black River stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (A-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Black River is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Black River city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 90.5
Black River's overall cost of living index is 90.5,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Black River costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Black River, NY
National Avg
Median Home Value
$209,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,146
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
54.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$80,305
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Black River's violent crime rate is 142.0 per 100,000 residents
— 63% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
142.0 /100k
Property Crime
1026.1 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Black River is served primarily by CARTHAGE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Black River, NY
National Avg
School District
CARTHAGE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
31.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
97.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Black River sees average highs of 28.9°F in January
and 79.8°F in July,
with 45.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 116.4 inches of snow per year.
Black River's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Black River roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $209,800 and median rent is $1,146/month.
Black River's violent crime rate is 142.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1026.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Black River are operated by CARTHAGE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.8:1. 31.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Black River, NY has a population of 1,660, a median household income of $80,305, and an unemployment rate of 21.9%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Black River averages 28.9°F in January and 79.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.1 inches
with about 116.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Black River, NY is covered by 1 ZIP code: 13612.
The population of Black River, New York is 1,660 with a median age of 38.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Black River: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $209,800, median household income $80,305, crime index 42 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Black River side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.