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 4,384 inhabitants. At 83%, the majority of the Cortland population is White; this is followed by 11% Black and 1% Asian. With an average age of 30 years old, Cortland could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. Cortland is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 50% married, this city falls well below the national average. Something to be aware of when living in Cortland are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 30 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Cortland could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Illinois if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Cortland and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from commute, health & safety, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Illinois and national averages.
Cortland has a livability score of 76/100 and is ranked #157 in Illinois and #3,106 in the USA. Clearly, Cortland is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. If we explore each of the categories individually, we see that Cortland ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (A), employment (A-) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Cortland scores poorly for, including: amenities (F) and education (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.
Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Cortland shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 44 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Cortland excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Cortland. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Cortland are affordable. The median home price for Cortland homes is $288,514, which is 6.5% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Cortland, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 28.6% lower than the Illinois average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| 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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