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.
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.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
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.
Health & Safety
Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.
Bluefield, West Virginia is a smaller city with a population of 9,776 inhabitants. At 69%, the majority of the Bluefield population is White; this is followed by 24% Black and 1% Asian. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Bluefield offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Bluefield could be a positive experience compared to other cities in West Virginia if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Bluefield and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, health & safety, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the West Virginia and national averages.
Bluefield has a livability score of 53 out of 100 and is ranked #299 in West Virginia and #23,787 in the USA. Compared to the US average, this area has a score which ranks among the lowest in the nation, and it is not considered a very livable city. If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that Bluefield ranks well for housing (B). There are some categories that Bluefield scores poorly for, including: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Bluefield apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Assuming that Bluefield meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Bluefield. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Bluefield are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Bluefield come in at $78,900, which is 26.5% lower than the West Virginia average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Bluefield, the home price to income ratio is 2.2, which is 12% lower than the West Virginia average.
| Statistic | Bluefield | West Virginia | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 82.7% | 82.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.0% | 9.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.3% | 2.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.8% | 3.1% | 4.6% |
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