Kettering 82 Exceptional
Kettering Livability #61 ranked city in Ohio#939 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Kettering

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.

  • Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • 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.

  • Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

  • 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
  • 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 Kettering?

Kettering, Ohio is a medium-sized city with a population of 55,271 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (89% White). Given that fact, Kettering could be considered less diverse than other cities. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Kettering. 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 Kettering can be a great experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Ohio, there are many desirable 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. Finding the best places to live in Kettering and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, cost of living, commute, education and other important metrics.

Using data and statistics Kettering has received a livability score of 81/100. This score is ranked in the 96th percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on this score, Kettering would be considered a very livable city! Kettering also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we explore each of the categories individually, we see that Kettering ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (A+), education (A+), employment (B-) and housing (A).

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Kettering, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 51 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

The unemployment rate in Kettering has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.45%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Parents and families tend to prioritize school test scores when choosing educational institutions. Test score data can be a critical factor in evaluating and comparing schools. In Kettering, the average school test scores are an impressive 80%, well above the national average. This achievement reflects the educational system's dedication to providing students with the essential knowledge and tools for success. It ensures that your children will receive the support and resources needed to excel academically and thrive in their educational pursuits.

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

Kettering real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Kettering. Median real estate prices in Kettering come in at $142,700, which is 8.2% higher than the Ohio average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Kettering, the home price to income ratio is 2.3, which is 11.5% lower than the Ohio average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Kettering

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Compare Kettering, OH Livability

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      Kettering transportation information

      Statistic Kettering Ohio National
      Average one way commute20min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work84.6%83.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.2%7.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.4%1.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.7%2.3%2.8%
      Working from home5.2%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Kettering, OH data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).