Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Crime
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Ratings
Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Schools
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
Located in the state of Illinois, Cortland is a small city with a population of 4,261 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Cortland is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. The median age of all Cortland residents is 30, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. In Cortland, only 50% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Cortland entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 30 minutes.
Are you trying to decide if living in Cortland is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before relocating to any new city in Illinois, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Cortland, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, education, employment and more.
With a livability score of 74 out of 100, Cortland is ranked #3,827 in the United States and #190 in Illinois. For each of the livability categories, we see that Cortland ranks very well for crime (A+), cost of living (A-), employment (B+) and housing (A+). The bad news for Cortland, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F) and education (F).
Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 0 crimes per 100,000 residents, Cortland has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Cortland can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Cortland is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Cortland come in at $162,700, which is 6.9% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Cortland, the home price to income ratio is 2.2, which is 26.7% lower than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Cortland | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 30min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 86.3% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 5.0% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.8% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.2% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.1% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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