Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Cortland, NY
Thinking of moving to Cortland, NY? With around 17,500 residents and a young median age, Cortland offers affordable living with median home prices at $159,000 and average rents of $870. Commute times are short at just under 17 minutes, and crime rates remain low for both violent and property incidents. The city features a strong healthcare presence, the SUNY Cortland campus, and is known for its four-season climate with snowy winters and mild summers. If you value affordability, education, and a friendly small-city feel, Cortland is a great choice to call home.
Demographics - Cortland, NY
Demographics - Cortland, NY
Cortland, NY is home to about 17,556 residents, featuring a youthful median age of 26.9 and a population density of 4,800 per square mile. The community is predominantly White, with a mix of other ethnic groups and a modest percentage of non-English speakers, creating a diverse yet close-knit small-city atmosphere.
Population:
17,556
Density:
4,800 per sq mi
Median Age:
26.9
Gender Ratio:
91 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
6.5%
Ethnic Composition
White:
89.0%
Black:
4.6%
Asian:
2.0%
Others:
4.4%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Cortland, NY?
Living in Cortland is budget-friendly, with a median home value of $159,000 and average monthly rent of $870, making housing especially affordable compared to national averages. The overall cost of living index is 87.5, meaning residents enjoy lower expenses on housing and transportation, though utilities are slightly above average.
Median House Value:
$159,000
Gross Rent:
$870
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$120
Auto Insurance:
$1,120
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$1,315
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$525
State Taxes:
Low:
4.0%
|
High:
8.82%
Cost Of Living Index:
87.5
Grocery:
99.2
Housing:
68.5
Utilities:
106.4
Transportation:
92.7
Health Care:
98.2
Miscellaneous:
95.0
Crime
Is Cortland, NY a safe place to live?
Cortland experiences relatively low crime rates, with a violent crime rate of 183 per 100,000 people and property crime at 1,582 per 100,000. Residents have a 1 in 546 chance of experiencing violent crime, contributing to a sense of safety and community security.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
183
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,582
Crime Index:
1,765
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 546
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 63
Weather
What is the weather like in Cortland, NY year-round?
Cortland enjoys four distinct seasons, with snowy winters where temperatures drop to 14°F and pleasant summers reaching up to 80°F. The city receives about 39 inches of rainfall annually and sees sunshine roughly half the year, offering a classic upstate New York climate.
Winter
Min:
14°F
Max:
32°F
Spring
Min:
35°F
Max:
62°F
Summer
Min:
57°F
Max:
80°F
Fall
Min:
38°F
Max:
64°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
38.7 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
49%
Neighbors
Residents in Cortland benefit from a median household income of $46,700 and a family income of $62,900, though the poverty rate sits at 24.2%. Most adults have at least a high school diploma, and commute times are short, averaging 17 minutes, making daily life convenient and accessible.
Median Income:
$28,500
Household Income:
$46,700
Family Income:
$62,900
Per Capita Income:
$24,700
Income Male:
$35,000
Income Female:
$28,200
Poverty Rate:
24.2%
Non English Speakers:
6.5%
Rent:
$870
Unemployment Rate:
5.3%
Public Transport Usage:
1.1%
Commute Time:
16.8 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
90.9%
Bachelors or More:
23.6%
Education
How are the schools in Cortland, NY?
Education in Cortland is robust, with public schools like Cortland Junior Senior High offering favorable student-teacher ratios and the presence of SUNY Cortland, a major state university with 6,700 students. The city also provides private school options and is near additional colleges, making it ideal for families and students alike.
Public Schools
Name:
Cortland Junior Senior High School
Street:
8 Valley View Dr
Phone:
607-758-4100
Students:
1,080
Student Teacher Ratio:
13.6
Name:
Randall Middle School
Street:
31 Randall St
Phone:
607-758-4170
Students:
520
Student Teacher Ratio:
12.8
Private Schools
Name:
St. Mary's School
Street:
61 N Main St
Phone:
607-756-5614
Students:
140
Colleges
Name:
SUNY Cortland
City:
Cortland
State:
NY
Distance:
0 miles
Students:
6,700
Name:
Tompkins Cortland Community College
City:
Dryden
State:
NY
Distance:
14 miles
Students:
4,400
Healthcare
Cortland offers accessible healthcare with a major hospital, Cortland Regional Medical Center, and a high physician-to-resident ratio of 2.2 per 1,000 people. Nearly 95% of residents have health insurance, ensuring quality care and emergency services close to home.
Major Hospitals
Name:
Cortland Regional Medical Center
Address:
134 Homer Ave, Cortland, NY 13045
Phone:
(607) 756-3500
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.2
Health Insurance Coverage:
94.7%
Health Care Index:
77.1
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Cortland, NY?
The housing market in Cortland is attractive to both buyers and renters, with median home prices at $159,000 and average rent for a two-bedroom apartment at $870. Owner-occupied housing makes up 41% of the market, and home values have appreciated by 5.1% over the past year.
Median Home Price:
$159,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$870
Owner Occupied Rate:
41.2%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
7.9%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
5.1%
New Construction Rate:
0.8%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.7%
DMV Information
Cortland residents are served by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles located on River Street, offering convenient access to licensing, registration, and vehicle services locally.
State:
New York
Department:
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
112 River St, Cortland, NY 13045
Phone:
1-518-486-9786
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.