ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — U.S. News & World Report has released its 2025-2026 Best Places to Live rankings. The publication ranked more than 850 cities based on value, desirability, job market, and quality of life.
U.S. News released both its overall Best Places to Live rankings, as well as its state specific rankings. In New York, 26 places were ranked.
Here are the Best Places to Live in New York rankings for 2025-2026.
26. Poughkeepsie
- Overall score: 4.2/10
- Ranked 819th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 32,716
- Average commute: 18 minutes
- Median home value: $303,628
- Median monthly rent: $1,178
- Median household income: $56,241
25. Spring Valley
- Overall score: 4.3/10
- Ranked 812th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 34,451
- Average commute: 22 minutes
- Median home value: $341,817
- Median monthly rent: $1,443
- Median household income: $56,163
24. New York City
- Overall score: 4.4/10
- Ranked 797th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 8,301,314
- Average commute: 37 minutes
- Median home value: $729,136
- Median monthly rent: $1,582
- Median household income: $78,477
23. Rochester
- Overall score: 4.4/10
- Ranked 789th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 218,035
- Average commute: 17 minutes
- Median home value: $143,707
- Median monthly rent: $918
- Median household income: $50,504
22. Syracuse
- Overall score: 4.4/10
- Ranked 788th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 150,483
- Average commute: 15 minutes
- Median home value: $141,919
- Median monthly rent: $815
- Median household income: $45,244
21. Watertown
- Overall score: 4.4/10
- Ranked 786th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 22,347
- Average commute: 13 minutes
- Median home value: $164,708
- Median monthly rent: $953
- Median household income: $50,462
20. Ithaca
- Overall score: 4.4/10
- Ranked 784th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 32,137
- Average commute: 16 minutes
- Median home value: $337,818
- Median monthly rent: $1,265
- Median household income: $47,050
19. Albany
- Overall score: 4.5/10
- Ranked 756th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 103,406
- Average commute: 18 minutes
- Median home value: $223,704
- Median monthly rent: $972
- Median household income: $56,991
18. Buffalo
- Overall score: 4.6/10
- Ranked 748th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 287,612
- Average commute: 18 minutes
- Median home value: $189,822
- Median monthly rent: $842
- Median household income: $49,405
17. Binghamton
- Overall score: 4.6/10
- Ranked 740th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 47,937
- Average commute: 16 minutes
- Median home value: $129,089
- Median monthly rent: $722
- Median household income: $44,441
16. Schenectady
- Overall score: 4.6/10
- Ranked 735th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 70,391
- Average commute: 19 minutes
- Median home value: $162,354
- Median monthly rent: $888
- Median household income: $55,726
15. Utica
- Overall score: 4.7/10
- Ranked 717th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 64,515
- Average commute: 16 minutes
- Median home value: $145,851
- Median monthly rent: $718
- Median household income: $52,038
14. Kingston
- Overall score: 4.7/10
- Ranked 709th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 23,337
- Average commute: 17 minutes
- Median home value: $295,289
- Median monthly rent: $1,103
- Median household income: $63,670
13. Mount Vernon
- Overall score: 4.7/10
- Ranked 702nd in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 73,003
- Average commute: 31 minutes
- Median home value: $477,181
- Median monthly rent: $1,437
- Median household income: $85,536
12. Yonkers
- Overall score: 4.9/10
- Ranked 615th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 210,105
- Average commute: 30 minutes
- Median home value: $487,506
- Median monthly rent: $1,550
- Median household income: $86,266
11. Middletown
- Overall score: 5.2/10
- Ranked 528th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 31,466
- Average commute: 20 minutes
- Median home value: $306,328
- Median monthly rent: $1,333
- Median household income: $68,989
10. Lindenhurst
- Overall score: 5.3/10
- Ranked 474th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 26,736
- Average commute: 27 minutes
- Median home value: $481,576
- Median monthly rent: $1,952
- Median household income: $117,992
9. Elmira
- Overall score: 5.3/10
- Ranked 455th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 26,280
- Average commute: 17 minutes
- Median home value: $85,794
- Median monthly rent: $684
- Median household income: $45,531
8. New Rochelle
- Overall score: 5.5/10
- Ranked 389th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 84,885
- Average commute: 26 minutes
- Median home value: $649,178
- Median monthly rent: $1,634
- Median household income: $107,658
7. Glens Falls
- Overall score: 5.5/10
- Ranked 360th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 12,748
- Average commute: 13 minutes
- Median home value: $199,043
- Median monthly rent: $873
- Median household income: $67,026
6. Tonawanda
- Overall score: 5.6/10
- Ranked 335th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 14,864
- Average commute: 18 minutes
- Median home value: $168,077
- Median monthly rent: $786
- Median household income: $63,212
5. White Plains
- Overall score: 5.6/10
- Ranked 318th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 60,608
- Average commute: 22 minutes
- Median home value: $625,601
- Median monthly rent: $1,729
- Median household income: $114,506
4. Cheektowaga
- Overall score: 5.9/10
- Ranked 184th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 75,108
- Average commute: 18 minutes
- Median home value: $175,658
- Median monthly rent: $868
- Median household income: $67,588
3. Hicksville
- Overall score: 6/10
- Ranked 156th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 43,161
- Average commute: 29 minutes
- Median home value: $610,535
- Median monthly rent: $1,927
- Median household income: $145,460
2. Greece
- Overall score: 6.1/10
- Ranked 143rd in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 13,870
- Average commute: 18 minutes
- Median home value: $168,133
- Median monthly rent: $915
- Median household income: $71,533
1. Massapequa Park
- Overall score: 6.1/10
- Ranked 140th in overall Best Places to Live rankings
- Population: 16,809
- Average commute: 28 minutes
- Median home value: $627,805
- Median monthly rent: $1,916
- Median household income: $167,435
You can view the full overall Best Places to Live rankings for 2025-2026 on the U.S. News website…