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.
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.
Cost Of Living
Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.
Ratings
Polls and surveys done by AreaVibes among area residents did not yield positive feedback when it came to the walkability of amenities, safety, nearby parks and the overall sense of community.
Located in the state of Alaska, Kenai is a small-sized city with a population of 7,799 residents. At 72%, the majority of the Kenai population is White; this is followed by 12% American Indian and Alaskan and 3% Asian. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Kenai. With an average one way commute time of only 20 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Living in Kenai can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Alaska, 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, health & safety, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Kenai and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Kenai to Alaska and the national average.
The livability score in Kenai is 54/100 and the city is ranked in the 21st percentile of all cities across America. This is a lower than the national average livability score as Kenai does not rank well for most categories. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Kenai has higher than average scores for the following: housing (A-). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Kenai. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F) and cost of living (D).
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Kenai 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 Kenai is actually affordable. The median home price for Kenai homes is $229,000, which is 10.9% lower than the Alaska average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Kenai, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 2.9% lower than the Alaska average.
| Statistic | Kenai | Alaska | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 75.8% | 68.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.7% | 12.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.4% | 1.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.9% | 7.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.1% | 4.6% | 4.6% |
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