Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Poughkeepsie, NY
Considering a move to Poughkeepsie, NY? With around 31,500 residents, Poughkeepsie offers affordable living, with median home prices at $269,000 and average rents near $1,340. The city features a diverse community, access to higher education at Vassar and Marist Colleges, and a moderate average commute of 25 minutes. Crime rates are higher than national averages, but the area boasts scenic Hudson Valley beauty, a walkable downtown, and four-season weather with about 51% sunny days. Explore the details below to see why Poughkeepsie might be your next home base.
Demographics - Poughkeepsie, NY
Demographics - Poughkeepsie, NY
Poughkeepsie has a population of about 31,577, with a median age of 37.2 and a population density of 5,700 people per square mile. The city is notably diverse, with nearly 45% White, 23% Black, and a significant portion identifying as other ethnicities, while 16% of residents speak a language other than English at home.
Population:
31,577
Density:
5,700 per sq mi
Median Age:
37.2
Gender Ratio:
92 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
16.0%

Ethnic Composition
White:
44.8%
Black:
22.6%
Asian:
2.8%
Others:
29.8%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Poughkeepsie, NY?
Living in Poughkeepsie is moderately affordable, with a median home value of $269,000 and average rents around $1,340 per month. The overall cost of living index is just above the U.S. average, largely due to slightly higher utility and transportation costs, but housing remains below the national average.
Median House Value:
$269,000
Gross Rent:
$1,340
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$120
Auto Insurance:
$1,640
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$1,830
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$650
State Taxes:
Low:
4.0%
|
High:
10.9%
Cost Of Living Index:
104.5
Grocery:
102.0
Housing:
93.7
Utilities:
115.2
Transportation:
108.4
Health Care:
99.6
Miscellaneous:
97.5
Crime
Is Poughkeepsie, NY a safe place to live?
Poughkeepsie experiences higher-than-average crime rates, with a violent crime rate of 326 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1,693 per 100,000. Residents have about a 1 in 307 chance of experiencing violent crime, so awareness and typical urban precautions are recommended.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
326
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,693
Crime Index:
2,019
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 307
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 59
Weather
What is the weather like in Poughkeepsie, NY year-round?
Poughkeepsie offers a true four-season climate, with winter lows around 18°F and summer highs reaching 84°F. The city receives about 44.6 inches of rainfall annually and enjoys sunshine 51% of the year, making for a varied but pleasant local weather experience.

Winter
Min:
18°F
Max:
37°F

Spring
Min:
39°F
Max:
69°F

Summer
Min:
60°F
Max:
84°F

Fall
Min:
44°F
Max:
70°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
44.6 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
51%
Neighbors
Residents of Poughkeepsie have a median household income of $47,900, with about 18% living below the poverty line. The average commute is just over 25 minutes, and 84.2% of adults have at least a high school diploma, reflecting a community with accessible education and a mix of socioeconomic backgrounds.
Median Income:
$28,000
Household Income:
$47,900
Family Income:
$56,000
Per Capita Income:
$23,900
Income Male:
$34,500
Income Female:
$29,400
Poverty Rate:
18.2%
Non English Speakers:
16.0%
Rent:
$1,340
Unemployment Rate:
6.2%
Public Transport Usage:
8.4%
Commute Time:
25.1 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
84.2%
Bachelors or More:
23.8%
Education
How are the schools in Poughkeepsie, NY?
Poughkeepsie offers a range of educational options, including public and private schools as well as higher education institutions like Vassar College, Marist College, and Dutchess Community College. Public schools like Poughkeepsie High School and Morse Young Child Magnet School maintain student-teacher ratios around 13 to 15, supporting a personalized learning environment.

Public Schools
Name:
Poughkeepsie High School
Street:
70 Forbus St
Phone:
845-451-4850
Students:
1,100
Student Teacher Ratio:
15.5
Name:
Morse Young Child Magnet School
Street:
101 Mansion St
Phone:
845-451-4690
Students:
470
Student Teacher Ratio:
12.9

Private Schools
Name:
Our Lady of Lourdes High School
Street:
131 Boardman Rd
Phone:
845-463-0400
Students:
850

Colleges
Name:
Vassar College
City:
Poughkeepsie
State:
NY
Distance:
0 miles
Students:
2,500
Name:
Marist College
City:
Poughkeepsie
State:
NY
Distance:
2 miles
Students:
6,600
Name:
Dutchess Community College
City:
Poughkeepsie
State:
NY
Distance:
3 miles
Students:
8,100
Healthcare
Poughkeepsie is served by major healthcare providers like MidHudson Regional Hospital and Vassar Brothers Medical Center, both offering comprehensive emergency services. There are about 2.5 physicians per 1,000 residents and over 91% of locals have health insurance coverage, ensuring good access to medical care.

Major Hospitals
Name:
MidHudson Regional Hospital
Address:
241 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone:
(845) 431-8900
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Vassar Brothers Medical Center
Address:
45 Reade Place, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone:
(845) 454-8500
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.5
Health Insurance Coverage:
91.2%
Health Care Index:
72.5
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Poughkeepsie, NY?
The median home price in Poughkeepsie stands at $269,000, with average two-bedroom rents at $1,340. Homeownership is less common than renting, and the housing market has seen a steady appreciation rate of 6.2% over the past year, indicating moderate growth and opportunity.
Median Home Price:
$269,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$1,340
Owner Occupied Rate:
37.2%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
7.1%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
6.2%
New Construction Rate:
0.7%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.7%
DMV Information
Local DMV services are provided at the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles office on Market Street in Poughkeepsie. Residents can access information, appointments, and services online or by phone through the statewide DMV system.
State:
New York
Department:
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
22 Market St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone:
1-518-486-9786
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.