By Stefan Yablonski
Average price to rent a one-bedroom apartment
Fulton $1,010
Black River $1,055
Oswego $1,075
Watertown $1,144
Syracuse $1,247
Clay $1,762
Cicero $1,825
Brewerton $2,137
Webster $2,205
Source: Zillow
If you are looking for an apartment to rent in the city of Oswego, you may be in for some sticker shock.
The consolation is that, in general, renting in Oswego is more affordable than the New York state average.
“The market, the lack of houses for sale, people are finding there is nothing left to purchase so that increases the number of people that are renting,” said William Galloway, owner and real estate broker at Century 21 Galloway. “It’s that way everywhere. Syracuse, Oswego, it doesn’t matter where it is. They have all increased equally everywhere.”
As of March 2026, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Oswego was between $1,104–$1,627 per month, which is about 32% lower than the national average, (approximately $995 – $1,100 per month), according to Apartments.com.
Because the average rent in Oswego is more than $1,100, you’ll want to make about $3,603 per month or $43,236 per year to afford it.
Renting an apartment or house isn’t just about checking online ads. You don’t just tour a few, fill out an application and put down your deposit. You must get your financial house in order.
The general guideline is to pay no more than 30% of your monthly income on rent, Apartments.com suggests. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses.
Some lower-priced options exist in Oswego, with some one-bedroom units listed for as low as $650–$850, according to Realtor.com. However, these may be smaller or have different amenities, the website cautions. In March, they say a one-bedroom apartment in Oswego costs about $1,000 on average, while a two-bedroom apartment is $1,300.
The average monthly rent in Oswego, for March, was flat compared to the previous month, but down 8.74% year-over-year, according to Zumper, an online rental marketplace and mobile app that lists apartments, houses and condos for rent.
Zumper says Oswego “is generally not considered expensive, with costs significantly lower than the New York state average and often below the national average, particularly for housing, food and utilities — though transportation costs can be higher.”
“We are still below the state average, even though we have increased we are still below the state average, absolutely,” Galloway agreed.
With the advent of Micron and a possible new nuclear plant, it could increase more, Galloway cautioned.
“With more demand it is going to increase the rents,” he said. “We are extremely busy. There is a high demand, we are doing multiple offers on houses. It’s just really busy.”
Key Rent Trends in Oswego
According to Zillow, these are the main trends as of early 2026 :
• Continued High Growth: Rent prices in Oswego County have seen sharp increases, with one report from February 2026 showing a 14.7% year-over-year increase.
• Rental Costs: As of March 2026, the average rent in the city of Oswego was reportedly around $1,104–$1,627 per month. Another source notes typical rents around $1,300.
• Higher than Average Increases: Oswego County previously ranked among the highest for rent hikes in New York state, with jumps exceeding 10% between July 2024 and July 2025.
• Driving Factors: The rise is driven by a shortage of available housing, high demand and the overall “tightening” of the rental market in Central New York.
