New York
New York ranks #26 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 57.0/100 and a B grade. Its strongest category is Health (74/100) and its weakest is Growth (20/100).
How Does New York Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in New York
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | White Plains | A+ | 67.9 | 59,818 | $115,586 | 146.8 | 112.5 |
| 40 | New Rochelle | A+ | 67.0 | 83,737 | $128,199 | 165.6 | 112.5 |
| 122 | Levittown | A | 62.7 | 51,557 | $139,696 | — | — |
| 266 | Yonkers | B+ | 58.5 | 207,644 | $81,097 | 348.8 | 112.5 |
| 334 | Tonawanda Town | B+ | 57.0 | 56,973 | $76,644 | 173.7 | — |
| 352 | Cheektowaga | B | 56.4 | 75,443 | $61,246 | — | 94.4 |
| 353 | West Seneca | B | 56.4 | 45,329 | $75,465 | — | — |
| 471 | Irondequoit | B | 53.6 | 50,438 | $76,871 | — | — |
| 477 | Mount Vernon | B | 53.5 | 71,168 | $77,190 | 518.3 | 112.5 |
| 509 | New York | C+ | 52.8 | 8,258,035 | $76,577 | 681.7 | 112.5 |
| 512 | Troy | C+ | 52.7 | 51,054 | $57,688 | 566.3 | 97.6 |
| 533 | Hempstead | C+ | 52.3 | 58,569 | $82,454 | — | — |
| 665 | Albany | C | 49.1 | 101,220 | $61,390 | 997.7 | 97.6 |
| 682 | Schenectady | C | 48.7 | 68,545 | $54,773 | 718.5 | 97.6 |
| 750 | Binghamton | C | 46.9 | 47,357 | $44,331 | 681.9 | 91.6 |
| 761 | Utica | C | 46.7 | 64,440 | $51,513 | 478.4 | 92.3 |
| 825 | Rochester | D | 44.5 | 207,264 | $48,618 | 733 | 97.7 |
| 839 | Buffalo | D | 44.0 | 274,686 | $46,458 | 760.7 | 94.4 |
| 840 | Syracuse | D | 44.0 | 145,573 | $47,525 | 815.8 | 95.2 |
| 883 | Niagara Falls | D | 42.4 | 48,198 | $48,535 | 687.2 | — |
Best Cities in New York for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White Plains | 69.3 | 89.3 | 85.0 | 43.8 |
| 2 | New Rochelle | 67.0 | 75.7 | 86.4 | 45.0 |
| 3 | Yonkers | 62.3 | 75.1 | 75.5 | 51.6 |
| 4 | Tonawanda Town | 61.8 | 59.2 | 83.9 | 61.9 |
| 5 | Levittown | 61.6 | 92.1 | 58.1 | 39.4 |
More Northeast States
New York Rankings Overview
New York earns an overall grade of B with a composite score of 57 out of 100, ranking #26 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Health (74/100) while its biggest challenge is Growth (20/100).
Economy & Employment in New York
With an unemployment rate of 4.5% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), New York performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $81,386, which ranks above the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in New York
New York's violent crime rate of 364 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in New York
New York ranks #14 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #21 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in New York is 79.1 years, and the high school graduation rate is 85%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in New York
New York's total tax burden is 13.56% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 14.78%. The effective property tax rate is 1.64% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 8.54%.
Housing & Affordability in New York
The median home price in New York is $576,000, compared to the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 108 (where 100 equals the national average), placing it among the more expensive states. The price-to-income ratio is 7.1x.
Environment in New York
New York has a median air quality index of 36 (EPA AirData), better than the national average. 30% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources, an above-average share. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 3.8 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in New York
New York's population growth rate is +0.4% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -6.2 per 1,000 residents, indicating significant outward migration. 94.6% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in New York
The top-ranked cities in New York based on our composite scoring are White Plains, New Rochelle, and Levittown. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is New York's overall ranking?
New York ranks #26 out of 50 states with a composite score of 57/100 and a grade of B.
Is New York a good place to live?
New York scores 57/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in New York?
The violent crime rate in New York is 364 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does New York's economy compare?
New York's median household income is $81,386 with an unemployment rate of 4.5%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is above the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in New York?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in New York are White Plains, New Rochelle, and Levittown.
How does New York rank for families?
New York ranks #27 of 50 states for families with a score of 62/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does New York rank for retirees?
New York ranks #25 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 60.8/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does New York rank for remote workers?
New York ranks #42 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 47.7/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.