Raeford 76 Excellent
Raeford Livability #39 ranked city in North Carolina#3,562 ranked city in the USARanks better than 87% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Raeford

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Crime Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Employment Employment

    In the employment category, a low score could be attributed to low income levels and high unemployment in the area, suggesting potential difficulties in finding lucrative employment.

What's it like Living in Raeford?

Raeford is a smaller city located in the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of 5,115 inhabitants. Raeford is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (36%) and Black or African American (43%). Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Raeford your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 26 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Living in Raeford can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of North Carolina, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. With useful information like amenities, commute, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Raeford and in the areas around Raeford is a much easier task.

Raeford, NC receives 74 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #55 in North Carolina and #4,429 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we see that Raeford ranks very well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A). There are some categories that Raeford does not rank well for, including: amenities (D) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Raeford shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 110 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.

When contemplating a move, job prospects often top the list of priorities. In Raeford, the outlook for new employment is notably brighter than in many other areas. The low unemployment rate of 2.6% points to a surge in job opportunities, the potential for higher wages, enhanced workforce productivity and increased economic growth. These favorable conditions bode well for individuals seeking career advancement and financial stability, making this area an appealing destination for those prioritizing professional opportunities and economic prosperity.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Raeford 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 Raeford is actually affordable. The median home price for Raeford homes is $233,039, which is 19.5% lower than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Raeford, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.6, which is 12.2% higher than the North Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Raeford

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Compare Raeford, NC Livability

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      Raeford transportation information

      Statistic Raeford North Carolina National
      Average one way commute26min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.2%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.2%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.7%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk7.4%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home4.9%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Raeford, 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.