Lackawanna, NY

Census place 3640189 · pop 19,753

D−42/ 100
🫤 Rough
F
in NY
📍 New York ranks #48 of 50 states →
🏆 Cost$140,700 · top 12%
🚽 Prop tax2.66% · bottom 2%
Taxes
2.66% property · US 0.99%8.54% sales · US 7.00%up to 10.90% income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Property-tax burden2.66%2

U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities

2.66% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Poverty rate23.2%11

U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities

23.2% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Adult smoking18.4%11

U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities

18.4% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Broadband access85.2%13

U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities

85.2% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Median household income$52,11015

U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities

$52,110 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Physical inactivity32.3%17

U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities

32.3% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Poor mental health19.3%18

U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities

19.3% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Bachelor's degree or higher20.0%22

U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities

20.0% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Homeownership56.2%28

U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities

56.2% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Adult obesity37.7%33

U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities

37.7% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Property crime rate1703/100k37

U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities

1703 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Unemployment rateCounty-level3.8%43

U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities

3.8% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Violent crime rate209/100k48

U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities

209 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Air quality (AQI)County-level43 AQI51

U.S. median 42 AQI · better than most cities

43 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level85/10056

U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities

85/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Uninsured adults8.9%57

U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities

8.9% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Unhealthy air daysCounty-level1 days62

U.S. median 1 days · better than most cities

1 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Income inequality0.4264

U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities

Gini 0.42 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Commute time20 min75

U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities

20 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Population growth (5yr)+10.8%83

U.S. median +2.4% · better than most cities

+10.8% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Housing cost$140,70088

U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities

$140,700 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Not measured for Lackawanna: Rent. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.

Frequently asked

Is Lackawanna, NY a good place to live?
By the numbers, Lackawanna scores 42/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 21 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is housing cost and its weakest is property-tax burden. New York overall ranks #48 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is Lackawanna, NY?
Lackawanna reports 209 violent crimes per 100k and 1703 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Lackawanna, NY expensive to live in?
Lackawanna has a median home value of $140,700 — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Lackawanna, NY?
Its weakest measured area is property-tax burden (2.66%) — 2/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Lackawanna, NY best at?
Its strongest measured area is housing cost ($140,700) — 88/100, better than most U.S. cities.

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.