Is Lackawanna Safe, Pros and cons of living in Lackawanna

Lackawanna, a city in New York, presents a mixed but generally favorable picture for potential residents. It offers a cost of living that is lower than many other areas, particularly in housing, making it an attractive option for those seeking affordability. The city also boasts a diverse population and a community that values its green spaces and recreational opportunities.

While Lackawanna has its strengths, it’s important for prospective residents to consider all aspects of life there. From safety and economic opportunities to the quality of education and the local climate, a comprehensive understanding will help in making an informed decision about whether Lackawanna is the right fit.

Is it Safe to Live in Lackawanna?

The overall crime rate in Lackawanna is slightly higher than the national average, with a C grade indicating safety concerns (as reported by AreaVibes). Residents generally consider the southeast part of the city to be the safest, with a chance of being a victim of crime ranging from 1 in 23 in the northwest to 1 in 58 in the southeast (as reported by AreaVibes). The total crime rate is 26.76 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by AreaVibes).

Violent crimes in Lackawanna are 10% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). There were 77 reported violent crimes, equating to 395 per 100,000 individuals (as reported by AreaVibes). Property crimes are 11% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). These crimes involve theft, vehicle theft, and burglary, with 304 property crimes reported, amounting to 1560 per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes).

Cost of Living and Housing

Housing costs in Lackawanna are notably affordable, with a median gross rent of $872 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). The median listing price for homes is around $191,000, indicating a balanced market for both buyers and renters (as reported by Realtor.com). This affordability contributes to a lower overall cost of living compared to many other areas.

The median home price in Lackawanna was $194,900 in April 2026 (as reported by Movoto). This figure has seen a slight increase compared to the previous year (as reported by Movoto). For renters, the median household income was $26,515 according to 2022 Census data, with a rent-to-income ratio of 39.5% (as reported by Point2Homes).

Job Market and Economy

The average annual household income in Lackawanna was $61,687 in 2024, showing a positive change from the previous year (as reported by Point2Homes). The median income stood at $52,110, also reflecting an increase (as reported by Point2Homes). The average annual salary for an average job in Lackawanna is approximately $56,000 per year, or $26.92 per hour (as reported by Zippia).

Major employers in the region include State Government, Amazon.com Services LLC, and Community Medical Center (as reported by Center for Workforce Information & Analysis). Other significant employers include Allied Services Foundation, Scranton School District, and Chewy Inc. (as reported by Center for Workforce Information & Analysis).

Climate and Weather

Lackawanna experiences a climate characterized by warm, partly cloudy summers and freezing, snowy, windy, and mostly cloudy winters. The temperature typically varies between 19°F and 79°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 5°F or exceeding 86°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The hottest month is July, with an average high of 79°F and a low of 65°F.

The cold season lasts from December to March, with average daily high temperatures below 40°F. January is the coldest month, with an average low of 21°F and a high of 32°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The annual precipitation for the area is approximately 37 inches, with late spring and summer receiving the most rainfall (as reported by Welcome to Lackawanna County, PA).

Education and Schools

Lackawanna City School District serves the city, encompassing pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. It has a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1, with 2,150 students (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that 22% of students are proficient in math and 26% in reading (as reported by Niche).

Lackawanna High School, part of this district, is rated B+ on Niche and has a 2 out of 10 GreatSchools Rating. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 11:1, with 645 students. Academic records show 77% of students achieve proficiency in math and 87% in reading (as reported by Homes.com).

Demographics

Lackawanna, NY, has a population of approximately 19,800 people (as reported by Data USA). The city is predominantly White (Non-Hispanic), making up 13,200 residents, followed by Black or African American residents (3,010) (as reported by Data USA). Approximately 8.4% of residents were born outside the country (as reported by Data USA).

The median age in Lackawanna is around 40 years old (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). A significant portion of the population, 23.2%, lives below the poverty line, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA). The largest demographic living in poverty consists of females under 5 years old (as reported by Data USA).