Ithaca

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Ithaca, NY

Area Guide

A charming lakefront city with plenty of outdoor adventure

Adventures Scenic Active Collegetown Nature

Nestled in the heart of the Finger Lakes region, Ithaca combines natural beauty with a thriving academic atmosphere as home to both Cornell University and Ithaca College. Located on the southern shore of Cayuga Lake, the city features more than 150 waterfalls within 10 square miles, including Ithaca Falls, while the surrounding gorges and state parks provide year-round outdoor recreation opportunities. Current rental trends show average apartment rates ranging from $1,690 for studios to $2,090 for two-bedroom units.

Downtown Ithaca centers around the pedestrian-friendly Ithaca Commons, where local shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues create a welcoming community atmosphere. The city offers diverse housing options across several neighborhoods. Fall Creek features historic architecture and tree-lined streets, while areas near Cornell University provide easy access to campus amenities. South Hill offers proximity to Ithaca College, and Belle Sherman sits conveniently close to Cornell's campus. The city hosts numerous community events throughout the year, including the annual Ithaca Festival. The Ithaca Farmers Market, operating year-round, showcases fresh produce and artisanal goods from across the region.

Explore the City

Paddle boarding is one of the most popular water activities in Ithaca.

Ports of New York is a popular winery in Ithaca with a French history and heritage.

The Commons hosts a plethora of seasonal events, including Ithaca Festival.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Ithaca, NY is $1,658 for a studio, $1,841 for one bedroom, $2,104 for two bedrooms, and $2,372 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Ithaca has decreased by -2.5% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,841/month
646 Sq Ft
House
$2,445/month
1,330 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Ithaca, NY

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Ithaca, NY is 3.2% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Ithaca is 0.0% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,658 - $2,372. You can expect to pay 4.2% less for groceries, 6.3% more for utilities, and 16.2% more for transportation.

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Transportation

60

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

58

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Northeast Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

385 Students

South Hill School

Public

Grades PK-5

380 Students

Fall Creek Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

232 Students

Belle Sherman School

Public

Grades PK-5

307 Students

Cayuga Heights Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

303 Students

Boynton Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

526 Students

Dewitt Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

478 Students

Tompkins Seneca Tioga Boces

Public

Grades 1-12

293 Students

Ithaca Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,341 Students

Tompkins Seneca Tioga Boces

Public

Grades 1-12

293 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Sciencenter
  • Fuertes Observatory
  • Cornell Plantations
  • Alan Treman State Marine Park
  • Newman Arboretum

Airports

  • Ithaca Tompkins International
  • Elmira/Corning Regional

Top Apartments in Ithaca

Houses for Rent in Ithaca

Property Management Companies in Ithaca, NY

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.