Florence 58 Below average
Florence Livability #245 ranked city in South Carolina#20,638 ranked city in the USARanks better than 29% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Florence

PROS
  • Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Crime

    This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.

  • Ratings

    Surveys and polls conducted by AreaVibes with residents of the area revealed unfavorable results concerning the walkability of amenities, the availability of parks and public transit access.

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What's it like Living in Florence?

Florence, South Carolina is a medium-sized city with a population of 38,535 residents. Individuals of White (46%) and Black or African American (48%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Florence offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Florence, South Carolina. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Florence and in the areas around Florence is a much easier task.

The livability score in Florence is 56/100 and the city is ranked in the 25th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the United States average, this city has a score which ranks among the lowest in the nation, and it is not considered a very livable city. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Florence has higher than average grades for the following: cost of living (B) and housing (B). On a more negative note, Florence does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F) and crime (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

The unemployment rate in Florence has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.38%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Florence market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Florence is real estate affordability. The median home price for Florence homes is $155,000, which is 7.9% higher than the South Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Florence, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 3.2% lower than the South Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Florence

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Florence?

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Compare Florence, SC Livability

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      Florence transportation information

      Statistic Florence South Carolina National
      Average one way commute19min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.8%82.8%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.3%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.4%0.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.5%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home7.5%3.6%4.6%
      Source: The Florence, SC data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).