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Ithaca

#5 in Best Places to Live in Tompkins County
  • A
    Overall Grade
  • Town in New York
  • 114 reviews
A
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Public Schools
    A
  2. Crime & Safety
    C+
  3. Housing
    C-
  4. Nightlife
    A+
  5. Good for Families
    A
  6. Diversity
    B+
  7. Jobs
    C+
  8. Weather
    C
  9. Cost of Living
    C-
  10. Health & Fitness
    A-
  11. Outdoor Activities
    A
  12. Commute
    A+
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Ithaca is a town in New York with a population of 30,720. Ithaca is in Tompkins County and is one of the best places to live in New York. Living in Ithaca offers residents a suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Ithaca there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Ithaca and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Ithaca are highly rated.
Population
30,720

Real Estate

Median Home Value
$233,100
National
$184,700
Median Rent
$1,086
National
$949
Area Feel
Suburban
Rent vs. Own
  • Rent
    74%
  • Own
    26%
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Ithaca Rankings

Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.

Crime & Safety

Crime & Safety
C+
Based on violent and property crime rates.
Violent Crimes
  • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
National
  • Assault
    90.7
    282.7
  • Murder
    3.2
    6.1
  • Rape
    19.4
    40.7
  • Robbery
    68
    135.5
Property Crimes
  • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
National
  • Burglary
    242.9
    500.1
  • Theft
    2,607.3
    2,042.8
  • Motor Vehicle Theft
    58.3
    284
Home Security Options for Ithaca
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  • 24/7 Whole home protection with no contract
  • CNET Editor’s choice winner 2018

Residents

Diversity
B+
Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
Age
  • <10 years
    5%
  • 10-17 years
    4%
  • 18-24 years
    55%
  • 25-34 years
    13%
  • 35-44 years
    7%
  • 45-54 years
    5%
  • 55-64 years
    5%
  • 65+ years
    6%
Education Levels
National
  • Master's degree or higher
    38%
    12%
  • Bachelor's degree
    27%
    19%
  • Some college or associate's degree
    16%
    29%
  • High school diploma or equivalent
    13%
    28%
  • Less than high school diploma
    6%
    13%

Working in Ithaca

Jobs
C+
Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
Median Household Income
$31,967
National
$55,322
Search for Jobs in Ithaca
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Ithaca Reviews

114 reviews
All Categories
There's a distinct lifestyle here. During the summer you can swim in the lake and gorges, visit beautiful gardens, and walk on one of the many hiking trails in the area. During the winter there's sledding, skating, watching ice hockey, and more. Not to mention the areas stunning beauty. There are trees all over city and large waterfalls right downtown! Ithaca is a fun place to live with its diverse culture and multiple festivals including Harry Potter Wizarding Weekend, Apple Fest, Chili Fest, and Ithaca Fest.
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Ithaca is beautiful! There are many scenic places to explore from Cayuga Lake, to the numerous waterfalls of the area. It's a place that really stands out in upstate NY because of how different it is. Ithaca has a strong community and with it's two college campuses, is pretty diverse. The colleges bring in students from all over the country and the world which leads to diverse events, people, and perspectives in the town. Ithaca grows on people that visit very quickly and many of them find themselves moving here. I recommend that you check Ithaca out!
Ithaca is a well known, LGBT friendly town in Central NY. If you're a foodie who lives craft beer and eating local and organic food, you will LOVE local restaurants. On top of great food, Ithaca is rich with art from local artists and music. Come by Ithaca on Porch day and experience a wide range of sounds from local bands all over the Ithaca area! The annual Apple Festival is everyone's favorite as the entire town gathers in the Ithaca Commons for tons of sweet treats and local delicacies. Oh, and have you heard of the phrase "Ithaca is Gorges"? If you haven't, you have yet to discover the handful of beautiful nature trails and gorges hidden in the natural lands of Ithaca NY. Ithaca is a must-see hidden treasure on your travels through NY state.