The 10 Worst Places To Live In New York For 2023


The worst places to live in New York are Monticello and Albion for 2023 based on Friday Night Science.

By: Nick Johnson | About HomeSnacks
Last Updated: September 22, 2023

The state of New York. You can’t possibly attempt to summarize the entire state in a couple of paragraphs. Except we can tell you, the people there are fiercely protective of where they live. And, like most other people in the northeast, they’d most likely you stay out. Even when you’re on vacation.

If you’ve ever been to the state of New York (besides NYC), you’d know why it’s a gem. If you haven’t been, and actually venture out beyond the confines of downtown, you’d see it’s one of the most beautiful places in the country.

But is it all good in The Empire State? Of course not. Just like every other state, New York has its least desirable spots. The purpose of this post is to use science and data to determine which cities are the worst you could possibly live in if you make New York your home.

After analyzing 163 of the state’s most populous cities (over 5,000 people), we came up with this list as the 10 worst places to live in the state of New York:

The 10 Worst Places To Live In New York For 2023

  1. Monticello
  2. Albion
  3. Newburgh
  4. Rochester
  5. Endicott
  6. Brockport
  7. Jamestown
  8. Gloversville
  9. Binghamton
  10. Goshen

Where are these places, you wonder? And before you get all riled up and say we’re picking on small towns in New York, that’s not the case.

We understand there’s a lot of good in every place. For example, the best place to live in New York is Malverne.

However, according to data (which doesn’t measure things like beauty and ‘friendly people’), the state has far better options for making a place home. And the worst place to live in New York? The worst place to live in New York is Monticello.

Read below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your city fared in 2023.

If you’re looking for something more national, check out the worst cities in America or the worst states in America.

For more New York reading, check out:

Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table

The 10 Worst Places To Live In New York For 2023

1. Monticello

Monticello, NY

Source: Wikipedia User Americasroof | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 7,199
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $121,000
Unemployment Rate: 10.6%
More on Monticello:  Data | Photos

The famous Monticello is in Virginia and represents Thomas Jefferson’s former home. This Monticello has much less going for it. In fact, it stands as the number 1 worst town in all of New York.

A bad economy explains why Monticello is such a drag for its 7,199 residents. The median income is only $38,885. With so little cash coming in, it’s no wonder that the poverty rate sits at 27.0%. Weak schools and safety concerns also present challenges.

Still, there are things to do in this southern New York town. For instance, you can check out harness racing at the Monticello Gaming and Raceway. Or, for more gambling action, head to the nearby casino, Resorts World Catskills.

2. Albion

Albion, NY

Source: Flickr User Gary Brownell | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 5,281
Rank Last Year: 6 (Up 4)
Median Home Value: $67,700
Unemployment Rate: 11.8%
More on Albion:  Data | Photos

Albion doesn’t have it much better, in terms of overall economic outlook. The unemployment rate is at 11.8%, and people average less than $41,708 a year in combined household incomes. Homes stand at $67,700, which is very low, and crime in the worst 10% in New York.

And again, in terms of the overall ‘enjoyment’ factor, it’s a pretty rural place tucked halfway between Niagara Falls and Rochester. For a lot of the year, unless you build snowmen or race sled dogs, you’d have a pretty long drive for something fun on a Friday night that’s outside of the norm.

3. Newburgh

Newburgh, NY

Source: Wikipedia User Daniel Case | GFDL
Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 28,834
Rank Last Year: 3 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $166,000
Unemployment Rate: 6.9%
More on Newburgh:  Data | Photos

Located along the Hudson river in the southern part of the state, Newburgh has a scenic view and many historical connections. Presidential buffs can visit Washington’s Headquarters, among other preserved buildings from the past.

Unfortunately, in the present, life in Newburgh offers many challenges. High crime, an expensive cost of living, and a weak economy make the community one of the most dreadful places in New York.

The crime rate stands nearly 40% above the national average. The mean income reaches $47,952, not enough for the region’s high cost of living. As a result, 21.4% of people live below the poverty line. Education is spotty as well, with even the best schools only ranking a 6/10 on Great Schools.

4. Rochester

Rochester, NY

Source: Flickr User | CC BY 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 211,100
Rank Last Year: 5 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $93,100
Unemployment Rate: 8.9%
More on Rochester:  Data | Photos

Rochester is home of a culinary delicacy known as a garbage plate. Turns out, that dish provides a good metaphor for the town’s economic situation, making it the number 4 least appealing spot in New York.

The 211,100 residents of Rochester struggle with major economic issues. The unemployment rate comes in at 8.9%, with 29.3% of people making due below the poverty line. Safety is a major problem in the area as well, with a crime rate more than 70% above the national average.

The city has some bright spots. It borders Lake Ontario, providing access to beaches. It also contains the George Eastman Museum, one of the great collections of photography in the world.

5. Endicott

Endicott, NY

Source: Flickr User Dougtone | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 13,588
Rank Last Year: 2 (Down 3)
Median Home Value: $89,600
Unemployment Rate: 8.1%
More on Endicott:  Data

Endicott began life as a company town. It was created for the Endicott Johnson Corporation, a major shoe manufacturer during the early part of the 20th century. Those jobs are long gone at this point. Now, a stagnant economy makes Endicott one of the worst place in New York to put down roots.

Finding a job represents a difficult chore for the 13,588 inhabitants of the area. The unemployment rate sits at a dreary 8.1%. The median income comes in at $42,035.

There is upside to living in Endicott. Built along the Susquehanna River in south-central New York, the community offers plenty of waterside parks. If you want to know more about old-time Endicott, you can head over to the Endicott History and Heritage Center.

6. Brockport

Brockport, NY

Source: Wikipedia User Michael C. Byrnes | CC BY-SA 4.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 7,246
Rank Last Year: 17 (Up 11)
Median Home Value: $109,600
Unemployment Rate: 7.0%
More on Brockport:  Data | Photos

Brockport has an official nickname: “The Victorian Village on the Erie Canal.” It gets this title from its proximity to the canal and a beautification process that includes a brick walkway. Too bad the rest of the town isn’t quite that nice.

A weak economy makes Brockport one of the least inviting places in New York. The 7,246 residents have to suffer with a 7.0% unemployment rate and a 22.0% poverty rate. The median income comes in at $50,316.

It’s a shame because other aspects of the town are quite pleasant. Many of the schools are decent and the cost of living is low. And, of course, you’ve got those lovely canal walks, plus a short drive to Lake Ontario, about 20 minutes north.

7. Jamestown

Jamestown, NY

Source: Wikipedia User Vasiliymeshko | CC BY-SA 4.0
Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 28,818
Rank Last Year: 44 (Up 37)
Median Home Value: $66,100
Unemployment Rate: 8.0%
More on Jamestown:  Data | Photos

8. Gloversville

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 15,211
Rank Last Year: 20 (Up 12)
Median Home Value: $77,200
Unemployment Rate: 7.5%
More on Gloversville:  Data

Gloversville is right next door to Johnstown. Both areas are really undesirable, when looking at it from a scientific perspective. However, Gloversville takes the cake as the worst of the worst.

The issue with Gloversville is crime and homes that are some of the least expensive in the state. For an average price of $77,200, you can live in Gloversville. Does that tell you how bad it is here?

Additionally, Gloversville currently has a huge problem with robberies. If you’re within Gloversville city limits, you have a 1 in 38.0 chance of being robbed. Perhaps it’s the high unemployment rate (7.5%) or the low income levels ($42,363 per household), but you simply can’t let your guard down if you live here.

9. Binghamton

Binghamton, NY

Source: Wikipedia User ConfluenceOfRivers | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 47,828
Rank Last Year: 4 (Down 5)
Median Home Value: $95,200
Unemployment Rate: 11.4%
More on Binghamton:  Data | Photos

Binghamton used to serve as a crucial hub in the south-central part of New York. It’s location at the intersection of the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers, plus the presence of key railroad lines, made it an economic centerpiece. Unfortunately, the world has moved on. These days, Binghamton serves as the number 9 least appealing location in New York.

In the 21st century, the community faces significant economic woes. The unemployment rate sits at a whopping 11.4% and the median income hovers at $39,012. As a result, 32.0% of Binghamton’s 47,828 residents need to struggle in poverty. Crime is also a concern in town, with a crime rate more than double the national average.

You can find bright spots in town, of course. Check out the scenic areas near the rivers, or head over to the Bundy Museum of History and Art or the Roberson Museum and Science Center.

10. Goshen

Goshen, NY

Source: Wikipedia User Daniel Case | GFDL
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 5,705
Rank Last Year: 7 (Down 3)
Median Home Value: $299,600
Unemployment Rate: 1.7%
More on Goshen:  Data | Photos

Methodology: How we determined the worst places to live in New York for 2023

To figure out the worst places to live in New York, we only needed to know what kinds of things people like and then decide what cities have the least amount of those things.

We don’t think it’s a stretch to assume that people like the following things:

  • Good education
  • Lots of jobs
  • Low crime
  • Low poverty
  • Nice homes
  • High incomes
  • High population density (Lots of things to do)
  • Short work commutes
  • Health insurance

The data comes from the Census’s most recent American Community Survey and the FBI Uniform Crime Report.

We broke crime down into violent crime and property crime to give violent crime a more significant weight. If you did a simple calculation of all crimes per capita, property crimes are typically 7x more common and bias that ranking.

Furthermore, only cities with at least 5,000 people were considered — leaving 163 cities.

We then ranked each city from 1 to 163 for all the criteria, with a #1 ranking being the worst for the particular criteria.

Next, we averaged the rankings into one “Worst Place To Live Score.”

Finally, we ranked every city on the “Worst Place To Live Score,” with the lowest score being the worst city in New York — Monticello. Read on for a detailed look at the ten worst cities in New York.

Editor’s Note: This article is an opinion based on facts meant as infotainment. We updated this article for 2023. This is our tenth time ranking the worst places to live in New York.
Safest Places In New York According To Science

Summary: Wrapping Up The Worst In New York

If you’re looking at areas in New York with the worst economic situations, where there’s higher than average crime and little to do, this is an accurate list.

And in the end, Monticello ranks as the worst city to live in New York for 2023.

If you’re curious enough, here are the best cities to live in New York:

  1. Rockville Centre (Pop. 25,768)
  2. Massapequa Park (Pop. 17,149)
  3. Malverne (Pop. 8,583)

For more New York reading, check out:

Worst Places To Live In New York?

Rank City Population Unemployment Rate Home Value
1 Monticello 7,199 10.6% $121,000
2 Albion 5,281 11.8% $67,700
3 Newburgh 28,834 6.9% $166,000
4 Rochester 211,100 8.9% $93,100
5 Endicott 13,588 8.1% $89,600
6 Brockport 7,246 7.0% $109,600
7 Jamestown 28,818 8.0% $66,100
8 Gloversville 15,211 7.5% $77,200
9 Binghamton 47,828 11.4% $95,200
10 Goshen 5,705 1.7% $299,600
11 Utica 64,723 7.4% $106,000
12 Monroe 9,392 4.7% $336,800
13 Schenectady 66,809 10.0% $118,300
14 Poughkeepsie 31,475 7.4% $214,300
15 Solvay 6,661 7.5% $121,200
16 Washingtonville 5,782 6.8% $268,100
17 Syracuse 146,781 9.4% $99,200
18 Webster 5,717 3.5% $159,800
19 Bath 5,613 6.9% $89,100
20 Buffalo 276,011 7.7% $112,900
21 Niagara Falls 48,763 8.2% $81,700
22 Potsdam 8,455 9.2% $120,100
23 Elmira 26,737 10.1% $78,200
24 Medina 5,941 6.4% $82,800
25 Hudson 5,964 11.6% $240,800
26 Ogdensburg 10,153 6.7% $74,400
27 Troy 50,717 8.6% $155,000
28 Fulton 11,461 7.7% $81,000
29 Kingston 23,972 6.6% $198,900
30 Salamanca 5,918 7.7% $67,100
31 Albany 99,402 7.4% $186,500
32 Olean 13,941 8.8% $81,000
33 New York 8,736,047 7.5% $660,700
34 Sleepy Hollow 10,176 8.1% $743,500
35 Hilton 6,015 11.8% $143,500
36 Haverstraw 12,292 8.4% $287,200
37 Lackawanna 19,697 5.4% $102,900
38 Walden 6,841 5.6% $257,300
39 Oneida 10,493 3.6% $121,400
40 Port Jervis 8,772 6.4% $153,300
41 Lockport 20,876 5.7% $103,900
42 Airmont 9,964 6.3% $575,300
43 Oswego 17,105 10.7% $93,200
44 Massena 10,377 6.4% $80,300
45 Spring Valley 32,953 5.3% $305,700
46 Norwich 6,982 9.9% $100,500
47 Wappingers Falls 6,074 4.8% $253,500
48 Port Chester 31,317 7.2% $491,100
49 Watertown 25,172 5.4% $132,100
50 Warwick 6,686 1.0% $349,900
51 East Rochester 6,348 5.5% $109,600
52 Baldwinsville 7,739 5.7% $150,700
53 West Haverstraw 10,665 7.1% $284,300
54 Amsterdam 18,218 8.3% $92,900
55 Mount Vernon 72,855 6.9% $380,500
56 Hornell 8,284 7.7% $69,000
57 Rome 32,309 5.2% $105,900
58 Mount Kisco 10,904 4.3% $432,000
59 Penn Yan 5,268 2.9% $119,600
60 Rensselaer 9,330 3.5% $175,000
61 Elmsford 5,176 6.4% $472,100
62 Croton-on-Hudson 8,289 7.2% $605,700
63 Ossining 27,368 3.3% $377,700
64 Malone 5,396 5.7% $94,300
65 Kiryas Joel 32,498 3.7% $566,100
66 Chestnut Ridge 10,211 6.4% $577,800
67 Auburn 26,913 6.5% $114,000
68 Newark 9,049 2.9% $103,800
69 Middletown 30,086 6.3% $187,800
70 Yonkers 209,730 6.9% $420,000
71 East Aurora 6,095 3.7% $281,700
72 Harrison 28,635 5.6% $894,000
73 Depew 15,188 5.4% $134,400
74 Batavia 15,497 5.4% $108,100
75 Peekskill 25,304 6.8% $308,300
76 Hempstead 58,532 8.2% $358,200
77 North Syracuse 6,796 3.9% $120,600
78 New Square 9,433 8.1% $552,200
79 Mamaroneck 19,989 4.5% $640,900
80 Geneseo 8,140 7.3% $171,700
81 New Rochelle 80,685 7.2% $578,000
82 White Plains 59,452 5.7% $559,100
83 Rye Brook 9,909 9.5% $794,700
84 Pleasantville 7,469 6.8% $701,900
85 Herkimer 7,239 8.8% $95,800
86 Dunkirk 12,651 4.4% $71,500
87 Kaser 5,433 8.3% $1,057,700
88 Cortland 17,577 6.8% $115,400
89 Colonie 7,792 2.0% $237,600
90 Ithaca 31,819 5.6% $282,000
91 Fairport 5,452 4.6% $220,100
92 Fredonia 10,018 5.7% $150,100
93 Canton 6,994 7.4% $175,700
94 Canandaigua 10,563 3.4% $186,300
95 Patchogue 12,341 5.3% $364,400
96 Hudson Falls 7,413 5.8% $137,800
97 Saranac Lake 5,003 2.7% $161,000
98 Watervliet 10,363 5.0% $154,000
99 Lake Grove 11,110 4.7% $449,900
100 Suffern 11,376 4.0% $309,400

About Nick Johnson

Nick Johnson earned his masters in Business Administration from the Drucker School At Claremont Graduate University. He has written for 39 publications across the country and ran the media relations department at Movoto, a real estate portal based in San Francisco. He has been featured in over 500 publications as an expert in real estate and as an authority on real estate trends.

Nick's the creator of the HomeSnacks YouTube channel that now has over 260,000 subscribers and is an excellent source to learn about different parts of the country.

 Worst

68 thoughts on “The 10 Worst Places To Live In New York For 2023”

  1. Wow, not only are you”two guys” not even remotely located to these areas, living in NC, but you really think these stats are enough, shouldn’t there be some weight against the good and the success,I am well versed in the johnstown gloversville area, born and raised and while there may be many local and current issues, that you speak of, such as crime and burglaries, along with the better places to reside statistically, the area has much to offer that many a person and their families migrate for. You can’t tell me that there aren’t worse areas in those respects, in other areas of our state! Where are you getting your so called facts and how in the world could this be infotainment to anyone living in these areas, shame on you for creating this topic! Why don’t you tell us a little bit about where you live?

    Reply

  2. All jokes on my misspelling of words please. I type like a crazy person. But seriously to pick at harmless Oneida is incredibly mindless… whether its over “crunching numbers” or not. The title of the article doesnt even mention numbers. Do more research Nick James ya little jerk.

    Reply

    1. Um Oneida is my hometown and I agree completely on it being on this list. Example 1: Maxwell park has swastikas and kkk written all over it’s concession stand. Example 2: my mother in law has been threatened to have her house shot up. Example 3: have you not heard of all the meth lab busts? Oneida is a crap hole and totally undesirable to live in. So glad I got out when I could.

      Reply

        1. I do not see Canastota anywhere on that list. Why would you even bring it up? It obviously is not as bad of a place to live as these others or it would be on the list.

          Reply

    1. Lol, no its not as bad. Its much, much worse. Elmira is a shit town, and anyone in upstate NY knows that.

      Reply

  4. This is a cool idea, but your numbers are skewed partly because you do not take into account cost of living. Long Island has some of the crappiest towns in New York, but they didn’t show up on the radar because incomes are so much higher here. At the same time, everything is higher here (crime, drugs, cost of everything). There are definitely some really lousy places in the rest of NY, but I’ve been all over this state an I can say for sure your numbers are not accurate because of what you’re leaving out.

    Reply

  5. I am sorry but Herkimer is a safe place to live. Are there some bad areas in the town yes there are. All towns and cities have them. Is the poverty rate high around here yes and one of the reasons is because people are too damn lazy to get off their asses and get a job. They don’t want to lose their benefits. There are job opportunities around here. Yeah they don’t pay much but there are jobs that people can work. Houses for sale around here in the town are reasonable and that is because they come with little land. The more land a house has the more money you pay for the house. That is the way it works around here. The crime rate is not as high as you think it is. The only time it has a high rate is when the same college is back in session and the inner new york city kids come up here for a free ride and do nothing up here but cause trouble. Other

    Reply

    1. It’s not always the city kids causing trouble in Herkimer. It’s mostly the local, inbred, drop-out punks that cause the most trouble. & they get away with everything just because mommy & daddy know everyone.
      Not to mention the high amount of rapists in the area & the high amount of drug users & dealers…..Same goes for Utica! The only difference is that there’s a higher cultural diversity in Utica (a good thing). But Herkimer doesn’t want to admit that they don’t like people from other ethnicities. I agree with this list.

      Reply

    2. I agree. I grew up in Herkimer and still have family there. I readily admit that it has problems, like many small towns across the country do. However, this survey bases everything on statistics without taking into consideration the people who live in these towns. I’ve seen the Main Steet area in Herkimer get progressively worse over the years and I attribute it to one factor. Absentee landlords who don’t give a damn about who they rent to and how their properties look. This has nothing to to with racial diversity either. When all you care about is collecting rent from drug users and lifelong welfare recipients you create an environment in which a small town is set up to decline. Of course there are some local people in town whose character is questionable – like every town in America. However, I never noticed the kind of social decay that I’ve seen in recent years until the downtown area became a haven for people who came in from the cities, attracted only by the lower cost of living and the ease of getting a handout from the government since Herkimer is the county seat.

      Reply

    3. The Village of Herkimer doesn’t even have a “Homeless” Shelter for either Men, Women or Children! People have to “Beg” the City of Utica for Housing Assistance. That is why your “quaint” village is on the list. Your city “Priorities” are “Idiotic” to say the least!

      Reply

    4. Damn inner New York City kids. Get your free ride off my lawn of Herkimer safety town. Lose your benefits and get a minimum wage where is your dignity job. Excuse me Im off to Oneida to write on a concession stand

      Reply
  6. Pingback: Worst Places To Live in New York Include 3 in CNY
  7. Pingback: Worst Places To Live in New York Include 3 in CNY

  8. I really hope this is a troll. If it’s not, you spent an awful lot of time compiling a horribly inaccurate list.

    Reply

  9. Not sure how you have Watertown worse off than Ogdensburg or Cortland. I believe jobs have been growing here or at least Countywide for the past 10 years since Fort Drum expanded again. You’re picture of the downtown is across the street from a Convergys call center with more than 500 employees, which is slated to add around 400 more. Should really use better facts.

    Reply

  10. i realize this is a opinion article…. but the author did no field work and based the entire list off statistics with no credibility. Absolutely no one should take this article seriously, it’s misleading and very poorly written. i doubt the author even lives in NY.. anyone who lives in NY knows about 90% of this is bullshit

    Reply

  11. This idiot is comparing the Town of Richland to the Cities of…..Not right of course numbers will be different, Rural vs Urban

    Reply

  12. Elmira deserves the trashing that it got. I was born and raised there and consider myself lucky to have made my second escape from there (my first, to Corning doesn’t count) in 2011. Crime is high, unemployment is high, property values are low (unless you live in West Elmira), and the education system sucks. Elmira is a nice place to be FROM, it’s a damned sight less family friendly than it was before Agnes.

    Reply

  13. It’s funny how some towns/cities are listed twice on the main list of worst or best places to live; one under the other. Also, some of the places you have listed are living areas of social-assisted people. Another thing is Many drug dealers from NYC or thereabouts come up this way to sell their wares which causes people to do criminal things to get what they want. You need to include more different facts and information to make an accurate portrayal of what is what in what you have labeled the worst. I noticed nothing of the lower part of NYS is listed? Wonder why? Could it be that these people are moving “Upstate” so they can continue their nefarious ways? All in all many people are moving out of this state because of the poor conditions of HIGH taxes, little or no employment that they want to work because it doesn’t pay top dollar, or employment based on their higher education degree. Schools in these areas are so low funded is because our government thinks more of NYC then “Upstate” so more money goes there instead–more voters–you wash my back, I’ll wash yours idea! Many people move to this state because it’s easier to get social assistance so they don’t work. Attitude-why work when I can live off the system for years and make more that way then if I work!

    Reply

    1. Sharon hit it on the bullseye !!! Upstate was probably the BEST place in the WORLD to live, emphasis on WAS !! Now THEY have a governor who sends EVERYTHING to NYC and upstate funds his “project” !! NYC votes him in because he gives them everything … DUH !!! In addition MOST of the 10 worst cities have a prison FULL of NYC drug dealers and murderers and all their “families” move to town bringing all their crime with them and “living off the state” !!! I wonder why those cities are “busted”, can’t figure that out !?!? Notice I said “THEY” and not “WE”, fortunately I WAS able, after trying for SEVEN YEARS, to sell my house and “get out of Cuomo’s mess” !!! Schools in Horseheads have always been the TOP of anywhere, however, now with all the $$ going to NYC the funding to schools is gone which unfortunately ruining the system !! These are the facts !! It is still a great place full of great people, if all the NYC transplants were evicted back to their “home” it would be listed as one of the BEST places in the COUNTRY let alone the state, to live !! However, because of the NYC connection, I wouldn’t wish New York on any “friend” … I hope ALLK the good people can move out, like I, and leave the whole state to Cuomo and HIS “friends” !!! Come on down to South Carolina and ENJOY life AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Reply

  14. In spite of our “far below New York State standards” education, those of us in Richland know that living in an area with “low population density” is a wonderful thing. We’re surrounded by woods and streams and wildlife, and we get to watch the Lake Ontario sunsets. We only get stuck in traffic if we’re behind an Amish buggy for a couple of minutes. We can live on much less, because we can buy a home for much less. And when we do feel the need to go somewhere for “indoor entertainment,” we’re only half an hour from Syracuse, because I-81 is right there.

    Actually, I hope that people believe your story, so that we can keep our “low population density” just the way it is. 🙂

    Reply

  15. Infotainment it is! Clearly, you’re not familiar with the area at all. I moved away from my hometown of Johnstown for bigger cities and never looked back. But this article is totally laughable and haaaaardly ‘scientific!?’ Way off the mark, dudes. Johnstown is a really beautiful city. I had an awesome childhood there. It has everything you could want (fishing, camping, lakes, killer grinders, movies, ice cream!) and NYC and Boston only a four hour drive away? It’s not perfect because nowhere is but it’s a great community and a great and safe place to raise kids. Write about what you know, not about what you guess. At the very least do real research. Oy vey. 518 representing!

    Reply

  16. What school did you go to?The proper way to spell “data”, is the way that I spelled it, not ” date”. Do you ever read what you post?

    Reply

  17. He has Ilion on the list at number 22 and lists the population as around 8,000. Then a few lines down he lists German Flatts with a population of around 13,000. German Flatts is the township that incorporates Mohawk AND Ilion. So he has counted Ilion twice and should have listed Mohawk at around 5,000 people.

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  18. I knew I shouldn’t read an article that comes with a disclaimer that it is just their opinion….. but the fact that Johnstown could be on that list is ridiculous. I grew up 15 minutes from Johnstown, and crime is non existent, the school system is wonderful, and it is a beautiful area of upstate New York. The median income is low, but the cost of living is way below the national average. Jobs are hard to come by in an area that heavily relied on factories and leather mills for their income, but to put Johnstown in the same category as some of these other towns is a joke. And no, Johnstown is NOT my hometown, I did not go to school there, no longer live in the area. But let’s be realistic here…. Johnstown on the same list as Gloversville, but Amsterdam, Schenectady or Troy don’t even make the list? Um, no.

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  20. Uniondale is ranked almost the same as Garden City, and Mineola has a higher score than GC? Now I know your data is garbage. Granted, the places you listed are not on my list of desirable places to live, but how can we take your results seriously when you have faulty research?

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  22. Spot on. I’m from Johnstown, and have family in Gloversville. Every person that I know that has moved away from these two towns regard it as one of the best decisions they ever made. All of upstate NY is beautiful, but that alone isn’t enough to live on. People of Johnstown used to joke about the crime in Gloversville, and that was nearly 20 yrs ago. It obviously hasn’t improved.
    I also remember seeing Gloversville make a similar list back in 1997. I remember it well, because it was on the news the month I left to join the Air Force. Beautiful to visit, but I’ll never move back.
    Sorry New York 🙁

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  23. I grew up in Johnstown, went to school in Johnstown K-12, had jobs in Johnstown. I do think that its ok for Johnstown to make this list. Its realy not one of the best towns out there. Jobs are hard to come by, yes. I can say that you arent going to find a decent paying job and be able to live “comfortably” with a family of lets say 4. As for the schools, they can be better for sure, without a doubt. I left when I was 18 and hadnt been back since other than a visit. I see people I have grown up with, still in Johnstown, like they dont want to leave the place and possibly have a better life. But i guess if youre ok with “Mediocre” then stay there.

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  24. Not a bad study, a very interesting topic. Although the research itself seems a bit shallow. Particularly, the use of population density as an indicator of indoor entertainment is not really sufficient or useful. You would be better off using something like commercial density or better yet, the percentage of commercial properties occupied against how many commercial areas are zoned. That would require a little more research than google can provide but the info is out there (I did a similar study a few years ago as part of my undergrad studies). You also need to define crime better. I would limit crime to felony responses to indicate worse areas rather than crime itself. A kid shoplifting from the local trading post in small town upstate New York cannot be considered equal to an armed robbery with a deadly weapon in your larger urban areas. You have a bunch of variables that you examined but for something this complex you may have to try to develop ratios to address quality of life indicators rather than individual standalone variables unless you were attempting to prove some sort of causal relationship (which I do not believe was the case here).

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  25. You had Herkimer which is a village and a county. You referred to all as cities while most were villages or townships and you omitted the Beautiful Mohawk Valley Jewel which is between Herkimer and Utica, FRANKFORT is both a Village and a Town, the village is probably the warmest most fantastic place in the Mohawk Valley, 2nd probably only to NYC. .

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  26. Where did you get your population figures for Richland? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richland,_New_York. The population was 5,718 at the 2010 census. I dont think it grew 2x’s as much in 5 years. From the article you can tell you only visited 11 places and picked 10. Try visiting all of new york first, then comment. Richland is your typical Farm country area of Upstate New York, there are no skytowers, or big industries, and thats the way they like it. Farm country does not equal poor. Show me a rich farm town and I’ll show you people not working hard for their money.

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  27. Most of the “best” places to live are on Long Island and in Westchester County. You couldn’t pay me enough money to live in either of those places. I’ll take the mountains, lakes, cows, farms, and lack of night life ANYtime!

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  28. Grew up in Richland and have lived in five of the ten worst places to live in New York State. Someone else mentioned it – it’s because we’re saddled with New York City and Long Island. They control the politics, the money and we are forgotten, except when they want to ship their criminals up here and all of their leeches come along for the ride. We dish out more welfare to downstate transplants than anywhere else in the country, all of our tax money gets shipped downstate and we’re stuck paying high taxes for minimal representation. These people touting the loves of Johnstown and Gloversville must love empty storefronts because there’s nothing going on in those towns, anyone touting the safety of Herkimer must have forgotten the national headlines of the gunman shooting random people a couple of years ago and Oneida isn’t even important enough to warrant a Thruway exit, if it wasn’t for the Oneida Nation they’d shut down Oneida years ago. Wake up people, this list is spot on but you’re too damn cranky and blind to notice it. Y’all are probably the same one croaking about the new area code coming to the Syracuse area and having to dial 10 digits.

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  29. I’ve visited a few of the “top ten”, and yes, it’s pretty much accurate, even if it has been decades since i’ve been there. judging by the prominent common denominator of vacant store fronts in each of the street views, i’d judge things are considerably worse now. i noticed Olean at #12–it had a movie theatre and a couple bars for hot action back then–i judge the theatre has gone away as it wasn’t doing well at the time. sad, because that is some of the most beautiful country-side in america.

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  30. Pingback: Utica, New York: Home Sweet Home! | Indian Honeymoon

  31. Garbage in garbage out. Population density as a marker for…what? Try substituting “pop density” with “commute times”; then use “high school completion rates” instead of “expenditures/student”–and watch the “scientific results” change dramatically. Very poor criteria selection. These results are not worthy of any serious consideration.

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  32. Upstate NY pays less in taxes and gets more tax revenue back from the state. Downstate NY pays more in taxes than it gets back from the state. There is tons of research that proves this yet up staters continue to get it wrong. And yes I do live in NYC but I think upstate NY is one of the most beautiful parts of our country and I spend a lot of time and money visiting places like Hudson, Ithaca, and the Adirondack region.

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  33. Being from Syracuse moving to Elmira a long time ago Elmira was a nice small city with lots of areas around it Pine City, Elmira Heights, Horseheads, Big Flats, Corning so it is quite a large area of people and places. The city has tried to come back after the flood which took a lot of the buildings. It is not bad here at all I am mad they put it on the list..

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  35. I agree with this report of Herkimer. I have lived here all my life and being 63 and going down hill in my years, I feel like Herkimer is going the same way as me. Someone mentioned about crime from these kids that come from NYC and get college for free and bring their crime ridden ways with them. I had a college house across the street from me. I hated living there on the weekends. There was noise, littering, under age drinking and fighting going on. When I went over to ask them to calm it down, all I got from the young punks was name calling and threats. Then I start calling the police on them as the neighbors were afraid to. I don’t how many times I called the police over the period of four years and yet it was like hell and the only time we had peace was in the summer when college was out.
    When we did have problems there on the weekends, the cops would come when I called and sure enough there was under age drinking. One night I counted over 75 students forced from the home and this was a common occurrence.
    Then there is Main St in which I called section eight street. You have dilapidated building which look like crap. There are tattoo shops and many second hand stores. As for the tattoo shops at one time there was more here than there was in a Navy town. There are over weight women pushing children in strollers and scroungey men whom along with women sit in front of the building sitting idle. One day during the summer I took a stroll down Main St. And counted a total of 23 empty store fronts. When you look above you see Windows covered with sheets and rags and in some cases I have seen people spitting out of the Windows. Øn a few occasions there were even people urinating onto the street below. When there is talk about why these people don’t work I will say this. The lack of job opportunities is the result economic issues caused by the county, the state and the federal government. Jobs have left the area since the Early seventies. Remington Arms is the only large manufacturing company left and they are in fear of moving out.
    The Herkimer County Legislature has done a lot to maintain the poor condition of the County which includes Herkimer. They are a do nothing group waiting for retirement so they can collect insurance when the retire. We have several industrial parks of a good size without hardly anything going on.
    It was rumored the county chairman, Mr. Bono kept Hiedlburger Bakery from Herkimer from building everything they wanted at the Frankfort Industerail Park. The reason for this is he wanted to protect the small Friendly Bake Shop in downtown Frankfort from losing bussiness. What a dumb thing to do and this would have created more jobs. There other times that businesses were interest in the Frankfort Park but other people stopped it.
    While Onieda County was moving forward. They took control of the water rights of Hinkley Resiviour for their needs. All the time our illustrious Assembly Man Marc Butler did nothing to stop it.
    About housing, yes the price of homes are cheap but when one wants to sell a home say $250,000, they find it impossible to find a buyer. Who would want to buy a nice home in Herkimer when there are no high paying job and the quality of life is non existent. Think about this, drugs are rampant and the crime that goes with it. Also, Brookwood Park, once the premier park around when I was younger is nothing but a junk hole. It once had play equipment, nice picnic table and grills to cook on. The west road is in disrepair will never get fixed. Then there is Mirror Lake just outside the village which was let go to be forgotten by village leaders years ago.
    I could go on but won’t, but let me say, the one inprovement I have seen is the school system in Herkimer. They take care of my son and continue to do so in the adversity that we have.
    While Herkimer may be number eight on the list, it is important to remember that this didn’t happen over night. It is my opinion that the county Legislators had a lot to do with.
    I’m sure things will improve here sometime, but when is the real question.

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  36. How is Binghamton NOT in the top 5 or the very least the top 10. Yeah it’s up there in the teens but this place has become considerably worse over the years. Broome County in general is an absolute shit hole.

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  37. This article is correct with the towns that were listed as the worst on Long Island. Those towns mentioned have high crime and poverty. Stick to the north shore towns if you want to live in a decent place on Long Island but expect to pay a pretty penny

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  38. I am really surprised that Binghamton is only 8. That place is a diaster!! I recently moved to that area, and what a mistake.If it was a house, it would have been condemned, and labeled Unfit for human habitation!!!

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  39. My boyfriend lives in Bath and I live in Watertown and I would argue that Bath is MUCH more dangerous than Watertown, even though less people live in Bath.

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  40. Hudson falls is a shi hole. Hard to find work in the area. Stealing and drug use are common. Homeless people and welfare recipients will make about as much as you do.

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  41. I find it hard to believe Schenectady didnt even get an honourable mention…has anybody actually been up here? Zombies in the middle of the road, stoned out of their gord!! People stealing stuff from your property in broad daylight while your home?? Its the skid mark of the northeast…

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    1. Schenectady NY downtown is booming! Proctors, new casino, brand new beautiful rail station, plentiful parking, and restaurants and bars filled every weekend downtown. A trip through downtown on state street and erie blvd reveals traffic and lots of mixed use buildings going up. Thats not to say neighborhoods dont have their challenges, but neighborhood clean ups should be a concerted effort by the stakeholders who live there.

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  43. Utica should be much higher up on the list. There’s a shooting there at least three times a week, every single week, and it’s not even summer yet. The job market is non-existent, the housing stock is awful, the food is unpalatable…. and the people who DEFEND this toilet, oh God, I can’t begin to tell you. Cretins. Starts with the mayor. He’s a moron. Period. I mean every single word out of his mouth is staggering. You’ll really believe Utica put a mental defect in office. Say something insulting about Utica and listen to what he vomits to the press. It’s a nightmarish place going nowhere and dying fast. Deservedly so.

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  44. Jamestown by by far….is the whole worst…poverty here beyond dirty condemned properties nothing but drama crime and judgement…horrible medical system horrible rent water dirty… Not any good..wanna get outta here never move here also..all has gone out of business but Walmart so.. that tells u a lot. Everyone acts bizarre..idk just got town like ghost town where you’re trapped.,good luck finding help too if you’re down n out.. hate it don’t know why I ever moved here and Buffalo NY o my..not really ideal either I’m shocked for a city medical care is so behind

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  45. Albany is surely the worst place in NY state.
    The city is horrible, there are many beggars and homeless, and the city is full of drug dealers.
    I decided to sell my house there and put it in ebay.

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  46. @Soul39 the only good thing about Jamestown is that Lucy was born there. Overall, it’s a depressing place.

    Rochester is a winter wasteland. So glad I’ve left. It used to be a great place to live, now it’s cold, has no jobs, very ghetto and dangerous. Downtown is mad boring and the only things to do are to go to the mall and Wegmans! The events are terrible at they are located in the most ghetto areas in Rotten/Roachester. Plenty of new grads leave because of the lack of jobs and opportunities for young adults.

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  48. NY needs the electoral college system for elections… Otherwise this goon will be gov. For life….elect a city folk, & they’ll only care about NYC. (Plus there is a huge voter apathy problem in rural NY).

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  49. I’m a lifelong resident of Rochester and I have to agree with where we have fallen on to this list, and could probably argue that when taking our population into consideration as opposed to the other smaller cities that were named on the list and higher than Rochester I. I’m pretty confident that we have them beat. I’m just under 40 years old and could definitely say that the city has always been schetcy and in many areas could be considered dangerous for some people, but it’s sad that over the past few years a very noticeable pattern of crime has began to infect most of the outlying suburbs that were once great places to live and where people felt comfortable and safe at all hours of the day/night and could worry less even when having doors and windows open and unlocked. The big reasons as to why the drastic changes could definitely be attributed to the buslines and stores like Wal-Mart being opened in once nice and quiet areas, the closings of Malls and shopping centers that were located in the cities, police now in fear of doing their jobs when the threats of being sued and the racism allegations always present as well as the city residents now starting to spread and migrate in the suburbs where low income properties are being built. Also a huge problem that is being dealt with is obviously the drug epidemic, most noticably with the heroin and opiates that is spreading like wildlife. It’s no secret Rochester has always been a haven for narcotics and especially crack which used to be the worst problem here, but now when driving around you would think that you were in an episode of the walking dead when seeing the locals just staggering around the streets and they’re of all different types of colors and ethnicities. You could walk down any given street of the city and the ground is just completely littered with used needles and bags that one would have to think how any parent would be comfortable with letting their children outside, the murder rate and violence is just sad and so many more issues are present.

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  50. Why on earth did Rottenchester Ny ranked from 3 to 4? It’s a rat hole! It needs to be number 1 and stay there forever on the WORST places to live!

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