Niagara Falls 59 Below average
Niagara Falls Livability #956 ranked city in New York#19,176 ranked city in the USARanks better than 34% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Niagara Falls

PROS
  • Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

CONS
  • Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

  • Employment

    In the employment category, a low score could be attributed to low income levels and high unemployment in the area, suggesting potential difficulties in finding lucrative employment.

  • Health & Safety

    The low score in this category could be due to challenges related to air quality and the limited accessibility of health-related facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and pharmacies.

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What's it like Living in Niagara Falls?

Located in the state of New York, Niagara Falls is a medium-sized city with a population of 47,978 inhabitants. With a population density of 3,406 people per square mile, Niagara Falls is well above the nation's average density level. At 69%, the majority of the Niagara Falls population is White; this is followed by 20% Black and 2% Asian. Niagara Falls is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 46%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Niagara Falls is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Niagara Falls, 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. The best areas in Niagara Falls and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, commute, health & safety, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the New York and national averages.

Niagara Falls has a livability score of 59/100 and is ranked #986 in New York and #18,754 in the USA. This is a poor rating when compared to the average of other places in the country. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Niagara Falls has higher than average scores for the following: cost of living (A+) and housing (A-). There are some categories that Niagara Falls does not rank well for, including: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Niagara Falls apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

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 Niagara Falls is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Niagara Falls come in at $78,500, which is 72.6% lower than the New York average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Niagara Falls, the home price to income ratio is 1.9, which is 59.6% lower than the New York average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Niagara Falls

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Compare Niagara Falls, NY Livability

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      Niagara Falls transportation information

      Statistic Niagara Falls New York National
      Average one way commute20min33min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.1%53.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.6%6.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.3%28.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.6%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.4%6.3%2.8%
      Working from home4.3%4.0%4.6%
      Source: The Niagara Falls, NY data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).