Living in Cortland, New York
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Cortland · Census data 2020–2024
Cortland has 17,450 residents with a median age of 27.4. The median household income is $59,482 (31% lower than the New York median), the median home value is $152,600, the median rent is $975/month.
Cortland at a glance
- Population
- 17,450
- Median age
- 27.4State: 39.8
- Median household income
- $59,482State: $85,974
- Median home value
- $152,600State: $423,800
- Median rent
- $975/moState: $1,621
- Homeowners
- 45.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27.2%
- Average commute
- 17 min
Is Cortland a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 64% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes; unemployment of 4.2%.
Cons: Median household income 31% lower than the New York median; a poverty rate of 20.8%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Cortland
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Cortland the median home value is $152,600, 54% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $975 per month, which is 31.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,404 a month in housing costs.
Cortland median household income
The median household income in Cortland is $59,482 and the income per person is $28,083. 20.8% of residents live below the poverty line (New York: 14%).
Housing in Cortland: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 7,718
- Owner-occupied
- 45.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 54.1%
- Vacant
- 9.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1947
- Average household size
- 2.05
Cortland demographics
- Population
- 17,450
- Median age
- 27.4
- Under 18
- 14.8%
- 65 and older
- 12.6%
- Households
- 7,019
- Foreign-born
- 3.3%
- Veterans
- 4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Cortland ›
Education in Cortland
27.2% of adults 25 and older in Cortland have a bachelor's degree or higher (New York: 40.2%), and 13.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Cortland
- Unemployment rate
- 4.2%State: 6.4%
- Average commute
- 17 minState: 33 min
- Work from home
- 6.9%
- Drive alone
- 65.6%
- Public transit
- 1.4%
- Walk to work
- 10.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.9%
Cortland vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cortland | 17,450 | $59,482 | $152,600 | $975 |
| Munsons Corners | 2,662 | $56,069 | $135,700 | $959 |
| Cortland West | 1,020 | $127,019 | $275,500 | — |
| Homer | 3,114 | $72,472 | $165,200 | $1,158 |
| McGraw | 974 | $64,185 | $109,600 | $830 |
| Virgil | 220 | $67,813 | $251,800 | — |
| McLean | 410 | $75,962 | — | — |
| Groton | 1,834 | $60,114 | $156,700 | $832 |
| Dryden | 1,671 | $50,435 | $230,900 | $870 |
More for people moving to Cortland
Cortland ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Cortland: FAQ
What is the median household income in Cortland, NY?
The median household income in Cortland is $59,482, 31% lower than the New York median of $85,974 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Cortland?
The median home value in Cortland is $152,600, compared with $423,800 in New York.
How much is rent in Cortland?
The median gross rent in Cortland is $975 per month, about 31.1% of household income.
Is Cortland, NY a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 64% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes; unemployment of 4.2%. Minuses: median household income 31% lower than the New York median; a poverty rate of 20.8%.
What is the median age in Cortland?
The median age in Cortland is 27.4 years (New York: 39.8).
How long is the commute in Cortland?
The average commute to work in Cortland is 17 minutes; 6.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Cortland?
The unemployment rate in Cortland is 4.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Cortland?
27.2% of adults in Cortland have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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