Crime
This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.
Employment
With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Amenities
The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Cost Of Living
This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.
Health & Safety
Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.
Located in the state of Maryland, West Laurel is a small city with a population of 4,171 inhabitants. An important consideration when living in West Laurel 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 34 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in West Laurel, Maryland. 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 West Laurel, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, commute, housing and more.
West Laurel has a livability score of 62 out of 100 and is ranked #285 in Maryland and #14,062 in the USA. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that West Laurel has higher than average scores for the following: crime (A-) and housing (A+). West Laurel does not do well for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In West Laurel, the unemployment rate stands at 1.41%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. West Laurel excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Assuming that West Laurel 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 West Laurel. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in West Laurel are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in West Laurel come in at $365,200, which is 25.8% higher than the Maryland average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In West Laurel, the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 31.6% lower than the Maryland average.
| Statistic | West Laurel | Maryland | National |
| Average one way commute | 34min | 32min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.7% | 73.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.0% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 4.6% | 8.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.0% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 9.2% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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