Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
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.
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.
Ratings
AreaVibes collected feedback from local residents in the area through surveys and polls, and the results did not show a favorable view of things like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Rensselaer, New York is a small city with a population of 9,475 inhabitants. The majority of Rensselaer residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Rensselaer, only 46% of the population is married. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Rensselaer is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 24 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
Living in Rensselaer can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of New York, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, education, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Rensselaer and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Rensselaer to New York and the national average.
With a livability score of 76/100, Rensselaer is ranked #2,994 in the United States and #194 in New York. This is a fantastic score, as Rensselaer ranks well in multiple categories! If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that Rensselaer ranks well for amenities (B-), cost of living (B-), employment (B-) and housing (A+). Regrettably for Rensselaer, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: crime (D-).
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 Rensselaer 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.
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 Rensselaer is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Rensselaer come in at $281,425, which is 44.1% lower than the New York average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Rensselaer, the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 39.3% lower than the New York average.
| Statistic | Rensselaer | New York | National |
| Average one way commute | 24min | 33min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.1% | 53.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 14.2% | 6.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 4.9% | 28.0% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.1% | 6.3% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.7% | 4.0% | 4.6% |
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