Average Rent in Watertown, NY↓ Rents falling 5.7% YoY

Watertown, NY has rental prices ranging from $889/month to $2,133/month in 2025, depending on unit size. The typical 1-bedroom apartment rents for $977/month — 30% below the national average of $1,400/month. With a median household income of $64,978/year, spending $977/month on a 1-bedroom represents 18% of gross income — within the recommended 30% threshold.

How Watertown Compares

With an average 2-bedroom rent of $1,282/month, Watertown ranks #15 most expensive of the 41 cities tracked in New York — pricier than 86% of all US cities in our data.

The Watertown Rental Market

The Watertown, NY area has a population of about 116,130 and 46% of households renting rather than owning. That renter share runs above the US average of ~34%, pointing to a competitive rental market where vacancies clear quickly and rents are less negotiable.

Rent Trends

2-bedroom rents in Watertown, NY have fallen by $78/month (5.7%) over the past year, from $1,360 to $1,282. This slight decline is consistent with broader market corrections seen across US rental markets.

Affordability

To afford a 1-bedroom apartment in Watertown, NY without exceeding the 30% housing cost guideline, a renter needs an annual income of approximately $39,080. The local median household income of $64,978 exceeds that threshold by $25,898, making Watertown relatively accessible compared to local wages.

Rent vs. Buy

The median home value in Watertown, NY is $203,480, giving a price-to-rent ratio of 13.2. The break-even point between renting and buying is roughly 13 years — renting offers more flexibility for shorter stays, while buying makes more sense for long-term residents.

Is Watertown, NY Affordable?

Income needed to rent or buy, price history, and how this city compares to nearby metros.

Rent or Buy in Watertown?

Break-even analysis and mortgage estimates based on local market data.

Living in Watertown

Cost of living, job market, crime rates, and moving cost estimates.