Jena 66 Good
Jena Livability #109 ranked city in Louisiana#11,080 ranked city in the USARanks better than 62% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Jena

PROS
  • 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.

  • Schools

    A high score in the schools category could be the result of elements like top-notch test scores, high education levels and the convenient location of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • 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.

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What's it like Living in Jena?

Located in the state of Louisiana, Jena is a small-sized city with a population of 3,400 inhabitants. The majority of Jena residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. With an average age of 33 years old, Jena could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 48% of the Jena population is married. An important consideration when living in Jena 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 38 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Jena could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Louisiana if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, commute, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Jena and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Jena to Louisiana and the national average.

Jena has a livability score of 70/100 and is ranked #34 in Louisiana and #6,229 in the USA. Based on the scores for each individual category, Jena has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A+), cost of living (A+), education (B+) and housing (A+). Jena does not do well for the following: amenities (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Achieving a cost-effective lifestyle can be pivotal in managing your monthly expenditures, especially given the ongoing upward trajectory of everday goods and housing prices. In Jena, residents are fortunate to experience a cost of living that is 20.05% below the national average. This advantageous positioning extends its impact to a wide spectrum of expenses, encompassing not only goods and services but also transportation and health care costs. As a result, this area stands out as a place where your money stretches further, ensuring that you can maintain a more economical and sustainable lifestyle. This affordability becomes increasingly valuable in an era marked by soaring costs, making Jena an attractive choice for those seeking financial prudence without compromising on quality of life.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Jena have an average test score of 80%, which is well above the US average.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Jena 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.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Jena is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Jena come in at $146,800, which is 1% lower than the Louisiana average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Jena, the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 24.2% lower than the Louisiana average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Jena

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Jena?

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Compare Jena, LA Livability

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      Jena transportation information

      Statistic Jena Louisiana National
      Average one way commute38min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work73.4%82.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool18.3%9.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.3%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.0%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home0.8%2.6%4.6%
      Source: The Jena, LA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).