As one of the original 13 colonies, New York has a rich history and diverse culture. This state encompasses both the most populous city in the country and vast expanses of wilderness, delivering a little of everything. We analyzed data based on important considerations someone considering a move to New York would want to know, including median rent prices, population change, and access to stores, healthcare, entertainment and dining. Based on our findings, here are some of the best places to live in New York State.
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1. Buffalo, NY
- Population change: A
- Price: B
- Stores: A
- Schools: A
- Healthcare: A
- Entertainment: B
- Restaurant: B
In the state of New York, Buffalo is second only to New York City in terms of population. It sits at the head of the Niagara River and serves as a major port of trade. The average price for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,250. The area has a highly-rated public School system as well as several charter schools for families to choose from. Buffalo General Medical Center is ranked one of the best regional hospitals by U.S. News. The city also offers abundant shopping, dining, and entertainment with highlights like Niagara Falls, Canalside, and The Buffalo Zoo.
2. Rochester, NY
- Population change: D
- Price: B
- Stores: B
- Schools: B
- Healthcare: B
- Entertainment: A
- Restaurant: A
Rochester lies in upstate New York, serving as the gateway to the Finger Lakes. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment here averages $1,030. The city features an award-winning early education program and an innovative school system with specialized programs like School Without Walls, Wilson Magnet, and School of the Arts. The city’s health care and shopping get high grades. Entertainment includes The Strong National Museum of Play, Rochester Museum and Science Center, and Seabreeze Amusement Park. The area offers outstanding dining with a distinctive local dish known as the “Garbage Plate” available at numerous locations.
3. Syracuse, NY
- Population change: C
- Price: A
- Stores: B
- Schools: B
- Healthcare: B
- Entertainment: C
- Restaurant: C
Syracuse sits amid rolling hills south of Lake Ontario in central New York. Widely known for its weather, this city gets more snowfall than any other metropolitan area in the country. This is an affordable place to live with rent for a one-bedroom apartment averaging just $950. The city is home to Syracuse University and a good public school system. Syracuse also features a robust healthcare system including Upstate University Hospital with over 750 beds. Local highlights include the Syracuse City Ballet, Museum of Science & Technology, and Destiny USA, the third-largest shopping mall in the U.S.
4. Cheektowaga, NY
- Population change: C
- Price: A
- Stores: D
- Schools: D
- Healthcare: D
- Entertainment: D
- Restaurant: D
Cheektowaga is part of the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area, just 6 miles from Buffalo, New York. Residents enjoy a quaint suburban atmosphere with an average price of just $893 for a one-bedroom apartment. The city has four high schools, each with its own distinctive sense of community. Outdoor recreation abounds with popular destinations like Stiglmeier Park. For cozy local dining, visit The 33 Speakeasy Grill.
5. New York, NY
- Population change: F
- Price: F
- Stores: A
- Schools: A
- Healthcare: A
- Entertainment: A
- Restaurant: A
Living in New York City is an experience unlike any other, and it comes with an appropriately premium price tag, as a one-bedroom apartment averages $3,725. The city has the highest population density in the country and its residents speak more than 800 languages. Prestigious schools abound but are primarily private. Residents have some of the world’s best culture and entertainment in their backyard with highlights like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, and much more.
6. Albany, NY
- Population change: F
- Price: C
- Stores: C
- Schools: C
- Healthcare: C
- Entertainment: B
- Restaurant: B
The capital of New York state, Albany sits on the Hudson River about 150 miles from New York City. Schools and health care get average grades in the area. The city features over 15 higher education institutions. Residents also enjoy access to more than 200 restaurants, 13 museums, and five state parks. Highlights include the New York State Museum, Palace Theatre, Albany Institute of History and Art, and a performing arts complex known simply as The Egg.
7. Schenectady, NY
- Population change: D
- Price: C
- Stores: C
- Schools: D
- Healthcare: C
- Entertainment: D
- Restaurant: C
Schenectady is in eastern New York near the Hudson and Mohawk rivers. The average rent in this dense suburban environment is $1,195 for a one-bedroom apartment. Healthcare, shopping, and restaurants get average grades. Local highlights include Schenectady Museum and Planetarium, Scotia-Glenville Children’s Museum, and Berkshire Botanical Garden.
8. Yonkers, NY
- Population change: B
- Price: D
- Stores: D
- Schools: C
- Healthcare: D
- Entertainment: C
- Restaurant: D
Yonkers sits just south of Manhattan, within 20 miles of New York City’s center. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,925, making this much cheaper than nearby NYC. The area features plenty of green spaces, including Tibbetts Brook Park, Untermyer Park and Gardens, and Lenoir Preserve. Though shopping and dining rank low, you can easily access a wealth of options by heading into the city.
Methodology
- 1-bedroom median rent price – Zumper.com
- Population change – American Community Survey 2021 and 2019
- Stores, schools, entertainment, restaurant, transportation – OpenStreetMap
To determine the best places to live in New York we analyzed data on seven key metrics, including median 1-bedroom rent prices, population change, and the quantity of stores, schools, healthcare, entertainment, and restaurants. 1-bedroom rent prices accounted for 30 percent of the weighted grade. Population change accounted for 20 percent. Stores, schools, healthcare, entertainment, and restaurants accounted for ten percent each.
Full data
| Overall rank | City | Population change y/y | 1-bedroom rent price | Stores | Schools | Healthcare | Entertainment | Restaurants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buffalo, NY | A | B | A | A | A | B | B |
| 2 | Rochester, NY | D | B | B | B | B | A | A |
| 3 | Syracuse, NY | C | A | B | B | B | C | C |
| 4 | Cheektowaga, NY | C | A | D | D | D | D | D |
| 5 | New York, NY | F | F | A | A | A | A | A |
| 6 | Albany, NY | F | C | C | C | C | B | B |
| 7 | Schenectady, NY | D | C | C | D | C | D | C |
| 8 | Yonkers, NY | B | D | D | C | D | C | D |
Frequently asked questions about living in New York
New York’s graduated individual income tax ranges from 4% to 10.9%. Some areas collect additional local income taxes. New York’s sales tax is 4% with a maximum local sales tax of 4.875%. The average combined sales tax across the state is 8.52%.
The state of New York has a primarily humid continental climate with winters that drop below freezing in much of the state. Summers are warm with highs in the 80s for most of the state. The Adirondacks are notably cooler. New York City is an urban heat island that’s typically about 5 degrees hotter than surrounding areas.
Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont sit along New York’s eastern border with Pennsylvania and New Jersey to the south. New York also sits along the Atlantic Ocean to the south and Lake Erie to the west. The northern border lies along Lake Ontario and Canada.
Final thoughts
From the robust amenities of the city to the picturesque highlights of more rural areas, New York has outstanding diversity. Check out Zumper’s listings to find your next rental home.
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