Cortland 75 Excellent
Cortland Livability #231 ranked city in New York#3,651 ranked city in the USARanks better than 87% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Cortland

PROS
  • Amenities

    An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.

  • 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.

  • Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

  • 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.

CONS
  • 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.

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What's it like Living in Cortland?

Cortland is a mid-sized city located in the state of New York. The city has a population of 18,633 people. In Cortland, there are 4,785 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. 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 27, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 33% of the Cortland population is married. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Cortland offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Cortland, New York. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Cortland, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, health & safety, housing and more.

With a livability score of 76/100, Cortland is ranked #2,876 in the United States and #195 in New York. Based on this score, Cortland would be considered a very livable city! The cherry on top is that Cortland also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. For each of the livability categories, we see that Cortland ranks very well for amenities (A-), cost of living (A+) and housing (A). There are some categories that Cortland does not rank well for, including: employment (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

If you're living in Cortland, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Cortland an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Cortland market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that Cortland meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Cortland. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Cortland are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Cortland come in at $112,500, which is 60.7% lower than the New York 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 2.3, which is 51.1% lower than the New York average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Cortland

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Compare Cortland, NY Livability

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      Cortland transportation information

      Statistic Cortland New York National
      Average one way commute17min33min26min
      Workers who drive to work68.8%53.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool13.8%6.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.8%28.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.1%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk10.8%6.3%2.8%
      Working from home3.5%4.0%4.6%
      Source: The Cortland, NY data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).