Situated along the southern tip of the Cayuga Lake in Central New York, Ithaca is a small city known for its academic presence and natural surroundings. With a population of just over 32,000, Ithaca is most recognizable for its scenic waterfalls and being the home of both Cornell University and Ithaca College. “Ithaca is a very progressive, highly highly-educated demographic because of Cornell University and Ithaca College,” says Realtor Jamie Jensen, team lead at Howard Hanna and Ithaca native. “A lot of faculty and professors live in the area, and roughly 80% of the population is students. So, it’s transient but they’re working towards a high level of education.” The city’s plentiful gorges and beautiful vistas are also high contenders for residents. Jensen emphasizes that Ithaca’s main attractions are its gorges, hiking trails and wine. “People want to live here because it’s a beautiful place,” she says. “Ithaca has beautiful gorges, . it’s It’s wine country, so there are sprawling vineyards, and the proximity to upstate New York allows for even more recreation.” Still, Jensen says it’s Ithaca’s community that keeps people in the area. “Ithaca has the type of community you find in small towns but in a bit bigger of a city feelwith a bigger-city feel,” she says. “Residents find that this city has everything they need but it’s small enough where you have that sense of the community.”
Ithaca is a small city known for its academic presence and natural surroundings.
Ithaca Falls, a scenic wonder, gets its name from the city it's located in.
The botanic gardens at Cornell University has thousands of plant species.
Even in the summer, students can be found walking the Ithaca College campus.
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High demand for Ithaca real estate
Neighborhoods in Ithaca range from the dining hub of Downtown to the historic Cornell Heights next to the university to suburban havens like Northeast Ithaca. Jensen says Fall Creek is a fan favorite for buyers due to its classic architecture and proximity to the elementary school and namesake Fall Creek gorge, while Cayuga Heights is a popular choice for its stately, historic homes and proximity to Cornell University. Due to the transient nature of Ithaca’s demographic, many residents rent their homes. The median price for single-family homes in the city is $400,000, a 9.8% increase from the previous year. In terms of cost-of-living, Ithaca is the second-most expensive city to live in New York state after New York City. “All incoming buyers should know that we have pretty high prices for the upstate New York area because we have low supply and high demand, which drives up prices,” Jensen says. “Our market is seasonal; there is a peak time to sell and a peak time to buy, and it’s important to know your market.” Homes sell on average about 50 days after listing.
The median price for single-family homes in the city of Ithaca is $400,000.
Homes in Ithaca often have many trees around them, offering homeowners privacy.
Condominiums are a popular housing style found throughout Ithaca.
Many older homes in Ithaca feature porches on the front side for shade and shelter.
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Highly rated schools for public, private and higher education
While Cornell University and Ithaca College are a huge part of the city’s identity, Ithaca’s academic environment extends beyond its strong college presence. “We have really wonderful schools in general,” Jensen says. “Not only do we have universities, but we have great elementary, middle and high schools with great teachers and an overall welcoming vibe.” The highly rated Ithaca City School District serves over 5,000 students across several public schools. The district earns an A grade from Niche and is ranked the second-best district in Tompkins County. Stand-out schools include Ithaca Senior High School, rated A by Niche. Top-rated private and faith-based schools are also available for kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Beverly J. Martin Elementary School in Ithaca has a student-teacher ratio of 7 to 1.
Boynton Middle School in Ithaca received a steller A- grade from Niche for 2025.
Ithaca Senior High School is located near the shores of scenic Cayuga Lake.
Cascadilla School is a private high school on the Ivy League campus of Cornell University.
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Natural gorges, rushing waterfalls and recreation of upstate New York
Set in the verdant Finger Lakes Region, Ithaca’s natural setting offers scenic views and parks for year-round recreation. “The gorges are a huge attraction for visitors and residents,” Jensen says. “Even though you’re not allowed to jump off, it’s really fun.” Stunning trails along Fall Creek lead to rushing waterfalls, including Ithaca Falls, Cascadilla Falls and Triphammer Falls, which are all central within the city and bring in many visitors. Taughannock Falls State Park and Buttermilk Falls State Park both offer acres of green space, expansive trails and more scenic vistas. Wooded gorges and natural pools await at Robert H. Treman State Park. Cayuga Lake also provides waterside views and recreation, especially at Stewart Park, the city’s biggest waterfront park. With splash pads, lake access and playgrounds, the park is a waterside destination for residents. More recreation can be found at Cass Park, which features a swimming pool, ice rink and 20 athletic fields. Thousands of plant species blanket the grounds of the Cornell Botanic Gardens, and locals can delve into the history of the planet at the Museum of the Earth. Ithaca’s topography also allows for abundant wineries to be fruitful in the area. Ports of New York Winery and Six Mile Creek Vineyard beckon wine drinkers to their tasting rooms.
Ithaca Falls is a stunning waterfall with a 150-foot drop.
Taughannock Falls in Ithaca offers acres of green space, expansive trails and scenic vistas.
Dog walking is a popular activity at Robert H Treman State Park in Ithaca.
Stewart Park is known for having the best views of Cayuga Lake in Ithaca.
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Diverse dining and boutique shopping centered in Downtown Ithaca
While restaurants are scattered around Ithaca, the city’s main dining destination is the Ithaca Commons in Downtown. The four-block, pedestrian-only shopping area is populated with restaurants, art galleries and local shops. Over 100 independently owned stores and eateries fill the old-fashioned brick buildings that line the street. “We have a popping restaurant scene,” Jensen says. “We have many local restaurants that draw people in from neighboring municipalities.” Restaurants range in diversity and vibe, from casual Korean at The Lotus to elevated French at Le Café Cent-Dix. Simeon’s American Bistro offers a classy setting with an extensive cocktail list, while Asian flavors including Thai and Chinese are available at favorites like Mia and Asia Cuisine. Big-box retailers like Walmart and HomeGoods, along with other smaller stores, sit south of Downtown in Creekside Plaza and South Meadow Square. Grocery options include Wegman’s and Trader Joe’s.
Ithaca's main dining destination is the Ithaca Commons, where many residents dine and shop.
Ports of New York is a popular winery in Ithaca with a French history and heritage.
Enjoy the breeze on the water while you have lunch at Kelly's Dockside in Ithaca.
Ithaca residents looking for locally-sourced groceries can go to GreenStar Coop.
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Community-wide events at The Commons and beyond
The Commons also hosts a plethora of seasonal events, including Ithaca Festival. The weekend-long celebration showcases vendors, restaurants and live music. “Restaurants run specials and it’s a great time to shop local,” Jensen says. The Apple Harvest Festival takes place every fall on The Commons. One of the region’s premier fall events, the Harvest Festival revolves around all things apple. Local vendors share their creations, live music performances entertain festivalgoers and the scent of freshly baked apple donuts and apple cider wafts in the breeze.
While the Commons is a hub for community events, many more take place around the greater area. GrassRoots Festival is one of the most popular local events, garnering thousands of visitors to Trumansburg, 10 miles north of Ithaca. The annual festival is held every second-to-last-weekend in July and hosts a stacked lineup of musical talents and performers.
Both area colleges host regular events that are open to the locals. “A lot of educational things happen between the community and the university,” Jensen says. “Cornell has some lectures and educational seminars open to the public.” Both schools also host performing arts events at their campuses.
The CFCU Summer Concert Series is hosted at the Bernie Milton Pavillon in Ithaca.
The Indian Creek Farm in Ithaca hosts produce-related events in the summer and fall.
Lemonade is one of many local items available at the Farmer's Market in Ithaca.
The Commons hosts a plethora of seasonal events, including Ithaca Festival.
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Getting in and around Ithaca
New York State Route 13 runs north and south through the heart of Ithaca, while State Route 79 runs east and west. Both connect to Interstate 81, which leads to Syracuse to the north. Bus routes allow commuters and students to navigate the city with ease, though most routes primarily serve the campuses. Jensen says even during rush hour, traffic is almost never a worry. “The only weekends to stay off the road are move-in weekend and graduation,” she says. “And don’t go out to eat, because you won’t get a reservation.” While heavy snowfall should be a consideration for potential residents, Jensen says recent winters haven’t been as harsh as in the past. “Winters have been pretty mild, and usually most of us hunker down,” she says, adding that roads get cleared pretty regularly and heavy snowfall doesn’t tend to interfere with routine too much.
Crime in Ithaca
Ithaca has a crime rate of 4076 per 100,000 residents, which is 75% higher than the national average. Year over year, the city’s crime rate is trending downwards. In an effort to mitigate crime, the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office created the Transparency Hub, a platform that serves the community by sharing information and increasing transparency and communication about data and activity.
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