Potsdam 75 Excellent
Potsdam Livability #249 ranked city in New York#3,908 ranked city in the USARanks better than 86% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Potsdam

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Cost Of Living 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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Commute 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 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 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.

What's it like Living in Potsdam?

Located in the state of New York, Potsdam is a small city with a population of 9,362 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (83% White). Given that fact, Potsdam could be considered less diverse than other cities. Potsdam could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 21 years old is below the nation’s average. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Potsdam, only 23% of the population is married. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Potsdam is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 14 minutes, significantly lower 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 Potsdam could be a positive experience compared to other cities in New York if you know where to search. 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. Finding the best places to live in Potsdam and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes cost of living, commute, education, employment and other important metrics.

Using data and statistics Potsdam has received a livability score of 73 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 84th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Potsdam has higher than average grades for the following: amenities (A+), cost of living (B), education (A-) and housing (B-). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Potsdam. The following was graded with a discouraging score: crime (F) and employment (F).

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Potsdam, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Potsdam undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location.

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, Potsdam has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Potsdam is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Potsdam come in at $206,299, which is 59% lower than the New York average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Potsdam, the home price to income ratio is 5.5, which is 1.8% lower than the New York average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Potsdam

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Potsdam?

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Compare Potsdam, NY Livability

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      Potsdam transportation information

      Statistic Potsdam New York National
      Average one way commute14min33min26min
      Workers who drive to work53.1%53.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.5%6.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.3%28.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk28.8%6.3%2.8%
      Working from home6.9%4.0%4.6%
      Source: The Potsdam, 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.