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.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
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.
Laurel is a mid-sized city located in the state of Mississippi. The city has a population of 18,403 people. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Laurel 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 relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Laurel, Mississippi. 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Laurel, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, health & safety, employment and more.
Using data and statistics Laurel has received a livability score of 68/100. This score is ranked in the 74th percentile when compared to all other cities. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Laurel scores well for housing (A) Laurel does not fare well for the following: crime (F), education (D-) and employment (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Laurel can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
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 Laurel is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Laurel come in at $93,200, which is 11.8% lower than the Mississippi average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Laurel, the home price to income ratio is 2.7, which is 3.8% higher than the Mississippi average.
| Statistic | Laurel | Mississippi | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 87.2% | 84.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.5% | 9.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.5% | 1.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 1.3% | 2.2% | 4.6% |
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