2025 Compare Cities Rankings:
Lake Norman of Catawba, NC vs Ithaca, NY

#28 America's Best and Worst Cities for Crime (Mid-Size Metro Areas)

#254 2005 Best Places to Live

#268 Best Green Cities

#1 Emerging Metropolitan Areas

#1 Most Secure Places to Live 2011 (Small Towns)

#2 Best Green Cities

#3 Most Secure Places to Live in the U.S. (Small Towns)

#22 Most Competitive Private Colleges

For a small city, its downtown has grown significantly and serves as the hub of the community. The Ithaca Commons remains the central gathering space for locals,  More

Great place to live. Lots to do, vibrant culture, and beautiful scenery. Don't fear the winter--it's even beautiful then. Only complaint is the housing market. Way  More

I was born, raised, educated there (Ithaca High and Cornell). In my opinion, before leaving to pursue my career, it seemed like the most beautiful, clean, low crime,  More