Clayton 69 Good
Clayton Livability #151 ranked city in North Carolina#8,462 ranked city in the USARanks better than 71% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Clayton

PROS
  • Cost Of Living 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.

  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Housing 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.

CONS
  • Amenities 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 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.

What's it like Living in Clayton?

Clayton is a medium-sized city located in the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of 24,066 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (66% White). Given that fact, Clayton could be considered less diverse than other cities. An important consideration when living in Clayton is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 31 minutes, far surpassing 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 Clayton could be a positive experience compared to other cities in North Carolina 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Clayton and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Clayton to North Carolina and the national average.

With a livability score of 70/100, Clayton is ranked #7,314 in the United States and #124 in North Carolina. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Clayton scores well for crime (A+), cost of living (A), employment (B) and housing (A+) There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Clayton. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (F).

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Clayton has a violent crime rate of 168 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

The Clayton unemployment rate of 1.9% 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.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Clayton has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Clayton real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Clayton. The median home price for Clayton homes is $363,160, which is 25.5% higher than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Clayton, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4, which is 2.4% lower than the North Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Clayton

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Clayton?

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Compare Clayton, NC Livability

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      Clayton transportation information

      Statistic Clayton North Carolina National
      Average one way commute31min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.2%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.9%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.3%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home8.3%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Clayton, NC data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.