Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in New York
New York ranks #21 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 50.9. White Plains is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 71.0.
- New York, all states
- #21 of 50
- Population
- 60,666
New York for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Full Picture
New York ranks #21 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a mixed outdoor profile. The outdoor access score of 30/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. 15.1% public land offers some options, though dedicated outdoor enthusiasts may find themselves driving to reach prime terrain.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. New York's environment score of 58/100 is middling — air quality (AQI: 36) is moderate, though environmental policy could be stronger. Natural disaster risk is low, meaning fewer disruptions to outdoor plans.
The practical side: above-average living costs (index: 107.9) can squeeze recreation budgets. Safety (63/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, and the overall health infrastructure (80/100) supports an active lifestyle with good access to sports medicine and emergency care.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Outdoor Enthusiasts
| # City | Grade | Outdoor Enthusiasts score | Overall | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1White Plains | A+ | 71.0 | 70.8 | 78 | 89 | 60,666 |
| 2New Rochelle | A+ | 69.5 | 67.5 | 78 | 88 | 82,769 |
| 3Tonawanda Town | A | 68.7 | 65.4 | 62 | 85 | 56,806 |
| 4Irondequoit | B+ | 68.0 | 62.0 | 79 | — | 50,657 |
| 5Levittown | A+ | 67.5 | 74.8 | 86 | — | 51,904 |
| 6Yonkers | A | 67.1 | 62.9 | 78 | 84 | 209,978 |
| 7West Seneca | A | 62.2 | 63.7 | 62 | — | 45,303 |
| 8Utica | C | 62.0 | 50.7 | 87 | 56 | 64,217 |
| 9Cheektowaga | B+ | 61.7 | 60.9 | 62 | — | 76,056 |
| 10Mount Vernon | B | 61.5 | 57.3 | 78 | 65 | 72,427 |
| 11Hempstead | C+ | 61.0 | 55.3 | 86 | — | 58,801 |
| 12Troy | B | 60.3 | 58.6 | 53 | 68 | 51,033 |
| 13Albany | C+ | 60.0 | 54.9 | 79 | 35 | 100,492 |
| 14Rochester | C | 59.4 | 50.3 | 79 | 50 | 208,772 |
| 15Schenectady | C | 58.4 | 51.6 | 83 | 42 | 68,847 |
| 16New York | C+ | 58.2 | 54.8 | 80 | 48 | 8,483,844 |
| 17Syracuse | C | 58.1 | 49.8 | 79 | 45 | 146,384 |
| 18Niagara Falls | D | 57.8 | 47.4 | 73 | 58 | 47,987 |
| 19Binghamton | C | 54.0 | 49.3 | 55 | 48 | 47,151 |
| 20Buffalo | D | 52.6 | 48.8 | 62 | 36 | 276,854 |
City outdoor enthusiasts scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.
Compare: States with Similar Outdoor Enthusiasts Rankings
Also See: New York for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
New York ranks #21 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 50.9/100. Its strongest relevant category is Health (80/100) and its weakest is Growth (14/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in New York?
White Plains ranks #1 in New York for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 71.0/100, followed by New Rochelle and Tonawanda Town.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in New York?
Rankings weighted toward outdoor access (parks, public land, recreation), environmental quality, safety, health infrastructure, and affordable housing — for those who prioritize access to nature and an active lifestyle.