Median Age
28 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 38% of Residents
Under 20
20%
Over 65
11%
Ithaca
Ithaca, NY Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,836
Population
25,974
Renter Mix
76% Rent
A charming lakefront city with plenty of outdoor adventure
Adventures
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Scenic
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Active
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Collegetown
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Nature
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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.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$42,811
Average: $71,894
Education
11,965
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
12,097
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Ithaca has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
76%
Non-Renters
24%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
40%
Other Education
60%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Ithaca, NY is $1,679 for a studio, $1,835 for one bedroom, $2,103 for two bedrooms, and $2,259 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Ithaca has decreased by -0.4% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,835/month
649 Sq Ft
House
$2,614/month
1,411 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,563/month
1,673 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Ithaca, NY is 3.0% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Ithaca is 0.3% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,679 - $2,259. You can expect to pay 4.1% less for groceries, 6.2% more for utilities, and 16.3% more for transportation.
Compare Cities
Schools
Cayuga Heights Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
270 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
363 Students
Public
Grades K-5
347 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
217 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
165 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
513 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
559 Students
Public
Grades K-12
293 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,411 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
115 Students
Public
Grades K-12
293 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
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
Solomon Organization
-
62
Communities
-
23,231
Units
-
48
Cities
3 Communities in Ithaca
The Scion Group
-
36
Communities
-
181,633
Units
-
26
Cities
3 Communities in Ithaca
Park Grove Realty, LLC
-
10
Communities
-
864
Units
-
8
Cities
3 Communities in Ithaca
HH Fund
-
15
Communities
-
1,714
Units
-
9
Cities
2 Communities in Ithaca
Greystar
-
3,486
Communities
-
959,251
Units
-
891
Cities
1 Community in Ithaca
Winn Companies
-
157
Communities
-
27,182
Units
-
112
Cities
1 Community in Ithaca
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 February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.