Lake Wales 68 Good
Lake Wales Livability #535 ranked city in Florida#10,036 ranked city in the USARanks better than 65% of areas
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Local Insights Report

What's it like Living in Lake Wales?

Lake Wales, Florida is a medium-sized city with a population of 16,926 residents. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Lake Wales is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 24 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Lake Wales, Florida could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the effort 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Lake Wales, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, commute and more.

Lake Wales, FL receives 65 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #649 in Florida and #12,191 in the USA. Based on the grades for each individual category, Lake Wales has received high marks for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Lake Wales does not rank well for, including: amenities (F), crime (F) and education (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Lake Wales market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

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 Lake Wales is real estate affordability. The median home price for Lake Wales homes is $319,906, which is 6.8% higher than the Florida average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Lake Wales, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.5, which is 7.1% higher than the Florida average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Lake Wales

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Compare Lake Wales, FL Livability

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      Lake Wales transportation information

      Statistic Lake Wales Florida National
      Average one way commute24min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.4%79.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool14.0%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%2.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.7%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%1.5%2.8%
      Working from home3.3%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Lake Wales, FL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.