Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Schools
High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.
Ratings
Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Employment
A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.
Bedford is a smaller city located in the state of Virginia. The city has a population of 6,599 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (75% White). Given that fact, Bedford could be considered less diverse than other cities. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Bedford, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 23 minutes.
Living in Bedford can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the city. Having said that, in the state of Virginia, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around Bedford, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, cost of living, health & safety, education, housing and more.
The livability score in Bedford is 75/100 and the city is ranked in the 88th percentile of all cities across America. Clearly, Bedford is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. For each of the livability categories, we see that Bedford ranks very well for crime (A+), cost of living (A+) and education (B+). There are some categories that Bedford does not rank well for, including: amenities (F) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.
The Bedford unemployment rate of 2.44% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.
Parents and families tend to prioritize school test scores when choosing educational institutions. Test score data can be a critical factor in evaluating and comparing schools. In Bedford, the average school test scores are an impressive 76%, well above the national average. This achievement reflects the educational system's dedication to providing students with the essential knowledge and tools for success. It ensures that your children will receive the support and resources needed to excel academically and thrive in their educational pursuits.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Bedford is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Bedford come in at $148,000, which is 40.4% lower than the Virginia average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Bedford, the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 2.6% lower than the Virginia average.
| Statistic | Bedford | Virginia | National |
| Average one way commute | 23min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 82.4% | 77.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 14.9% | 9.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.9% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 1.4% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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