Dunkirk 72 Excellent
Dunkirk Livability #382 ranked city in New York#6,289 ranked city in the USARanks better than 78% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Dunkirk

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Employment Employment

    Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.

What's it like Living in Dunkirk?

Dunkirk is a mid-sized city located in the state of New York. The city has a population of 12,215 people. According to the most recent Census, 77% of Dunkirk residents are White, 9% Black and 1% Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Dunkirk are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 20% of the population also speak Spanish. Dunkirk is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 48%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Dunkirk. With an average one way commute time of only 16 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Dunkirk, New York could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like cost of living, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Dunkirk and in the areas around Dunkirk is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 72/100, Dunkirk is ranked #5,275 in the United States and #313 in New York. If we consider each of the categories individually, we see that Dunkirk ranks well for crime (B+), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Dunkirk scores poorly for, including: amenities (F) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Dunkirk has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

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 Dunkirk is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Dunkirk come in at $124,764, which is 75.2% lower than the New York average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Dunkirk, the home price to income ratio is 2.4, which is 57.1% lower than the New York average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Dunkirk

See all the best places to live around Dunkirk

How Do You Rate The Livability In Dunkirk?

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Compare Dunkirk, NY Livability

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      Dunkirk transportation information

      Statistic Dunkirk New York National
      Average one way commute16min33min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.6%53.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.7%6.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.5%28.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.6%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.1%6.3%2.8%
      Working from home3.3%4.0%4.6%
      Source: The Dunkirk, NY data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.