Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in New York
New York for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Full Picture
New York ranks #20 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, offering strong outdoor access alongside reasonable livability. 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: 108) can squeeze recreation budgets. Safety (66/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, and the overall health infrastructure (74/100) 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 | Outdoor Access | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White Plains | A+ | 55.5 | 67.9 | 30 | 58 | 85 | 59,818 |
| 2 | New Rochelle | A+ | 55.5 | 67.0 | 30 | 58 | 86 | 83,737 |
| 3 | Tonawanda Town | B+ | 53.3 | 57.0 | 30 | 58 | 84 | 56,973 |
| 4 | Yonkers | B+ | 51.7 | 58.5 | 30 | 58 | 76 | 207,644 |
| 5 | Cheektowaga | B | 49.6 | 56.4 | 30 | 58 | 58 | 75,443 |
| 6 | West Seneca | B | 49.0 | 56.4 | 30 | 58 | 58 | 45,329 |
| 7 | Irondequoit | B | 49.0 | 53.6 | 30 | 58 | 58 | 50,438 |
| 8 | Levittown | A | 48.8 | 62.7 | 30 | 58 | 58 | 51,557 |
| 9 | Mount Vernon | B | 48.0 | 53.5 | 30 | 58 | 62 | 71,168 |
| 10 | Troy | C+ | 47.3 | 52.7 | 30 | 58 | 49 | 51,054 |
| 11 | Hempstead | C+ | 46.7 | 52.3 | 30 | 58 | 58 | 58,569 |
| 12 | New York | C+ | 46.6 | 52.8 | 30 | 58 | 46 | 8,258,035 |
| 13 | Utica | C | 45.8 | 46.7 | 30 | 58 | 55 | 64,440 |
| 14 | Binghamton | C | 44.5 | 46.9 | 30 | 58 | 38 | 47,357 |
| 15 | Schenectady | C | 44.4 | 48.7 | 30 | 58 | 38 | 68,545 |
| 16 | Albany | C | 43.6 | 49.1 | 30 | 58 | 18 | 101,220 |
| 17 | Niagara Falls | D | 42.2 | 42.4 | 30 | 58 | 43 | 48,198 |
| 18 | Buffalo | D | 42.1 | 44.0 | 30 | 58 | 28 | 274,686 |
| 19 | Syracuse | D | 41.8 | 44.0 | 30 | 58 | 27 | 145,573 |
| 20 | Rochester | D | 41.2 | 44.5 | 30 | 58 | 23 | 207,264 |