Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Ithaca, NY

Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Ithaca are Northeast Ithaca, Cayuga Heights, and East Ithaca. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Ithaca, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of March 14, 2026, the average rent in Ithaca is $1,852, which is 1.6% lower than last year. However, it's important to remember that rental prices can vary significantly based on factors such as location, amenities, and floor plans.

Northeast Ithaca

Average Rent

$1,747/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

5.7%

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

70 Rentals

Northeast Ithaca is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Northeast Ithaca is $1,747 while the city average is $1,852. This is a -5.7% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Elmira/Corning Regional, Fuertes Observatory, and Ithaca Tompkins International. The neighborhood is considered car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 37.

Cayuga Heights

Average Rent

$1,866/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

2.5%

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

22 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Ithaca neighborhood on a budget, check out Cayuga Heights. The average rent is $1,866, compared to the city average of $1,852. Rent prices have increased by 2.5%. Cayuga Heights is convenient to Cornell Plantations, Ithaca Tompkins International, and Corners Community Center. The community is car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 39.

East Ithaca

Average Rent

$2,100/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

2.5%

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

45 Rentals

East Ithaca is an affordable neighborhood in Ithaca with an average rent price of $2,100. Compare this to the city average of $1,852. In the past year, rent prices have decreased by 2.5%. East Ithaca provides easy access to Cornell University, Ithaca Tompkins International, and East Hill Plaza. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 48.

Collegetown

Average Rent

$2,116/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.1%

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

72 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Ithaca, Collegetown might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,116, while the city’s average stands at $1,852. In the last year, prices have decreased by 0.1%. Collegetown is near East Hill Plaza, Elmira College, and SUNY Cortland.

Ithaca

Average Rent

$2,339/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.3%

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

267 Rentals

Ithaca is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Ithaca is $2,339 while the city average is $1,852. This is a 1.3% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Ithaca Tompkins International, Alan Treman State Marine Park, and Fuertes Observatory. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 76.

Dewitt Historic District

Average Rent

$2,511/Month

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

38 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Ithaca neighborhood on a budget, check out Dewitt Historic District. The average rent is $2,511, compared to the city average of $1,852. Dewitt Historic District is convenient to SUNY Cortland, Newman Arboretum, and Alan Treman State Marine Park. The community is walkable with a WalkScore® of 98.

Northwest Ithaca

Average Rent

$2,619/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

10.8%

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

46 Rentals

Northwest Ithaca is an affordable neighborhood in Ithaca with an average rent price of $2,619. Compare this to the city average of $1,852. In the past year, rent prices have decreased by 10.8%. Northwest Ithaca provides easy access to Ithaca Tompkins International, Elmira College, and Cornell Plantations. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 6.

Downtown Ithaca

Average Rent

$2,647/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.5%

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

116 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Ithaca, Downtown Ithaca might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,647, while the city’s average stands at $1,852. In the last year, prices have decreased by 0.5%. Downtown Ithaca is near Newman Arboretum, Ithaca Tompkins International, and Elmira College.

Ithaca Downtown Historic District

Average Rent

$2,661/Month

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

115 Rentals

Ithaca Downtown Historic District is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Ithaca Downtown Historic District is $2,661 while the city average is $1,852. Residents enjoy convenient access to Cornell University, Ithaca Shopping Plaza, and Creekside Plaza. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 98.

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Methodology

Transit Score measures access to public transit. Scores range from 0 (minimal transit) to 100 (rider’s paradise). Learn more about the Transit Score methodology. Rental data is sourced from CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As a leading authority in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar performs in-depth research to build and sustain an extensive database of commercial real estate insights.

We've combined this data with public records to provide the most current rental information available.