Tonawanda 90 Exceptional
Tonawanda Livability #6 ranked city in New York#94 ranked city in the USARanks better than 99% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Tonawanda

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

CONS
  • Nothing Found Nothing Found

    None of the categories scored poorly, resulting in no identified cons for this area.

What's it like Living in Tonawanda?

Located in the state of New York, Tonawanda is a medium-sized city with a population of 15,243 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Tonawanda is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Tonawanda is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Tonawanda is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before relocating to any new city in New York, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in Tonawanda and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, education, housing and other important metrics.

The livability score in Tonawanda is 88 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 99th percentile of all cities across America. Based on this score, Tonawanda would be considered a very livable city! Tonawanda has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. For each of the livability categories, we see that Tonawanda ranks very well for amenities (A+), crime (A-), cost of living (A+), education (B-) and housing (A).

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 Tonawanda, 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 Tonawanda undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location.

Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 169 crimes per 100,000 residents, Tonawanda has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Tonawanda can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Tonawanda. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Tonawanda are affordable. The median home price for Tonawanda homes is $212,551, which is 57.8% lower than the New York average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Tonawanda, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 50% lower than the New York average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Tonawanda

See all the best places to live around Tonawanda

How Do You Rate The Livability In Tonawanda?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Tonawanda, NY Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report

      Tonawanda transportation information

      Statistic Tonawanda New York National
      Average one way commute19min33min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.8%53.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.6%6.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.9%28.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.9%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.7%6.3%2.8%
      Working from home6.9%4.0%4.6%
      Source: The Tonawanda, 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.