Watertown 68 Good
Watertown Livability #540 ranked city in New York#9,700 ranked city in the USARanks better than 66% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Watertown

PROS
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • Crime Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

  • Employment Employment

    This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.

What's it like Living in Watertown?

Located in the state of New York, Watertown is a medium-sized city with a population of 26,084 inhabitants. The majority of Watertown residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Watertown residents is 33. In Watertown, only 49% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Watertown offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 15 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Watertown, New York could be a fulfilling experience for anyone who puts in the effort 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 Watertown and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, education, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the New York and national averages.

With a livability score of 66/100, Watertown is ranked #10,395 in the United States and #565 in New York. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Watertown has higher than average rankings for the following: housing (A-). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Watertown. The following was graded with a concerning score: crime (F), education (D) and employment (D-).

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Watertown 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.

Assuming that Watertown meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Watertown. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Watertown are simply unattainable. The median home price for Watertown homes is $234,611, which is 53.4% lower than the New York average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Watertown, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.8, which is 32.1% lower than the New York average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Watertown

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Compare Watertown, NY Livability

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      Watertown transportation information

      Statistic Watertown New York National
      Average one way commute15min33min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.2%53.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.1%6.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.1%28.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.2%6.3%2.8%
      Working from home3.0%4.0%4.6%
      Source: The Watertown, 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.