Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Ratings
Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.
Amenities
It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.
Crime
High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.
Employment
The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.
Schools
Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.
Kelso, Washington is a mid-sized city with a population of 12,237 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Kelso is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are American Indian and Alaskan and Black. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 49% of the Kelso population is married.
Are you trying to figure out if living in Kelso is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before moving to any new city in Washington, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. The best areas in Kelso and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, education, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Washington and national averages.
Kelso has a livability score of 64/100 and is ranked #350 in Washington and #12,486 in the USA. Based on the grades for each individual category, Kelso has been rewarded with high marks for cost of living (A-) and housing (A+). Unfortunately for Kelso, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F), crime (D), education (D-) and employment (D-).
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 Kelso 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 Kelso 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 Kelso. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Kelso are simply unattainable. The median home price for Kelso homes is $185,500, which is 31.1% lower than the Washington average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Kelso, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 9.3% lower than the Washington average.
| Statistic | Kelso | Washington | National |
| Average one way commute | 22min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 80.1% | 72.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 11.3% | 10.2% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.4% | 6.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.7% | 3.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.7% | 5.6% | 4.6% |
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