Lorton 82 Exceptional
Lorton Livability #38 ranked city in Virginia#924 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Lorton

PROS
  • Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • 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.

  • Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • 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.

CONS
  • 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.

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What's it like Living in Lorton?

Located in the state of Virginia, Lorton is a mid-sized city with a population of 20,924 residents. Lorton has a population density of 3,928 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. Individuals of White (37%) and Black or African American (31%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Lorton entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 35 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Lorton could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Virginia if you know where to look. 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. Finding the best places to live in Lorton and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes cost of living, commute, health & safety and other important metrics.

The livability score in Lorton is 82/100 and the city is ranked in the 97th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the national average, Lorton ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Another exciting tidbit, is that Lorton ranks better than 90% of all US cities! There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Lorton ranks well for crime (A+), education (A+) and housing (A) On a less positive note, Lorton does not have favorable scores for the following: cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Test scores serve as a vital gauge of a school's academic prowess and the proficiency of its students. They play a pivotal role in assessing whether local schools can deliver a robust educational foundation for children. In Lorton, the schools boast an impressive average test score of 84%, significantly higher than the national average. This outstanding academic achievement not only reflects the excellence of the local educational system, but also indicates the potential for students to thrive academically, making it an attractive destination for families seeking a high-quality education for their children.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Lorton apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

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 Lorton is real estate affordability. The median home price for Lorton homes is $464,900, which is 87.2% higher than the Virginia average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Lorton, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.3, which is 13.2% higher than the Virginia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Lorton

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Lorton?

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Compare Lorton, VA Livability

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      Lorton transportation information

      Statistic Lorton Virginia National
      Average one way commute35min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work58.7%77.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool13.8%9.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit11.0%4.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.6%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home11.2%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Lorton, VA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).