Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Health & Safety
Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.
Barling, Arkansas is a small city with a population of 4,957 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Barling is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Barling. With an average one way commute time of only 17 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Barling, Arkansas could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Finding the best places to live in Barling and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, health & safety and other important metrics.
Barling has a livability score of 60/100 and is ranked #199 in Arkansas and #16,530 in the USA. Compared to the national average, this area has a score which ranks among the lowest in the nation, and it is not considered a very livable city. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Barling has been rewarded with high marks for cost of living (A+) and housing (B+). Regrettably for Barling, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F), crime (D), education (D-) and employment (D).
Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Barling, the unemployment rate stands at 1.59%, 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 healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Barling has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
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 Barling is actually affordable. The median home price for Barling homes is $97,000, which is 15.4% lower than the Arkansas average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Barling, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.2, which is 18.5% lower than the Arkansas average.
| Statistic | Barling | Arkansas | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 22min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 89.7% | 82.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 5.4% | 10.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.0% | 1.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 0.0% | 3.2% | 4.6% |
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