Living Here
Why Cortland county
Why not? It offers the best in small town living with easy access to some of the nation’s top metro centers. Consider:
- An exceptional public education system that produces more high school and college graduates than both the state and national averages
- A cost of living that is lower than the state and national averages
- Easy commutes
- Quality healthcare
- Low crime rates, meaning there’s no need to worry about the safety of your family and your business
- A four-season climate that affords our residents the very best in outdoor recreational opportunities as well as dependable weather patterns largely free of extreme weather events experienced elsewhere.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Cortland County is lower than the state and national average in all categories, and is significantly lower in a few areas.
Comparative Cost of Living Rates
| Cortland County, NY | New York | United states | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 81 | 129.4 | 100 |
| Grocery | 104.5 | 101.7 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98.7 | 115.9 | 100 |
| Misc. | 97.9 | 101.6 | 100 |
Source: Sperling’s Best Places. The cost of living indices are based on a U.S. average of 100
Health Care
Guthrie Cortland Medical Center, located in the city of Cortland, is the largest health care provider in the county. GCMC has the capability to meet your medical needs, while simultaneously serving the community. Every patient. Every time.
Other strengths of the GCMC include:
- Nationally accredited health care that’s been recognized by the Joint Commission on Accredited Healthcare Organizations
- Professional, experience-rich staff
- Home of the state-of-the art Renzi Cancer Center at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center: The Renzi Cancer Center at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center | Guthrie
- Partnerships with other hospitals and community organizations
For more information on the CRMC, please visit their website at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center | Guthrie
Safety
Living in Cortland County affords many advantages, including safety. The county’s comparative crime rates for violent and property crimes are significantly below state and national averages.
Comparative Crime Rates
| Cortland County | New York | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Property Crime | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Source: Sperling’s Best Places.
Violent crime, is rated on a scale from 1 (low crime) to 10. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
Property crime is rated on a scale from 1 (low) to 10. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
Climate
Cortland County’s climate comfort index rating of 96 ranks significantly higher than the national index rating of 44. We have four seasons and each one contributes to the character and quality of our community.
Climate in Cortland County
| Climate | Rate |
|---|---|
| Annual Rainfall (in.) | 43.89 |
| Annual Snowfall (in.) | 95.6 |
| Precipitation Days | 102.7 |
| Sunny Days | 157 |
| Average July High Temp | 78.3 |
| Average January Low Temp | 13.05 |
| Comfort Index (higher=better) | 41 |
| UV Index | 3.2 |
Source: Sperling’s Best Places. Comfort Index is based on humidity during the hot month, on a scale of 1 to 100 where higher is more comfortable.
Recreational Activities
From skiing to hiking, boating, golf, tennis, camping, hunting and the arts, the recreational opportunities in Cortland County are limited only by your ambition!
Museums, seasonal festivals and parades, a vibrant live music scene, and quality public recreational facilities all contribute to our reputation as great place to kick back and enjoy life.
To learn more, visit the Cortland County Tourism website or contact the visitor’s bureau at (800) 859-2227.
Environmental
Cortland County has clean air, good water, and lots of it. The quality of our air and water consistently ranks higher than the state and national averages.
Comparative Environmental Ratings
| Cortland County | New York | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Quality | 71.9 | 38.6 | 58.4 |
| Water Quality | 76 | 64 | 55 |
Source: Sperling’s Best Places, March 2017
