Living in Prior Lake, MN

Pros and Cons of Living in Prior Lake

What's it like Living in Prior Lake?

Prior Lake is a mid-sized city located in the state of Minnesota. The city has a population of 26,775 people. At 89%, the majority of the Prior Lake population is White; this is followed by 4% Asian and 1% Black. 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 Prior Lake is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 26 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 Prior Lake, Minnesota could be a fulfilling 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 Prior Lake, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, commute, health & safety, education, employment and more.

Prior Lake has a livability score of 68 out of 100 and is ranked #308 in Minnesota and #7,578 in the USA. If we consider each of the categories individually, we see that Prior Lake ranks well for crime (B), education (A-) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Prior Lake scores poorly for, including: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

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 Prior Lake, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 158 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Prior Lake has an unemployment rate of 1.46% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

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 Prior Lake have an average test score of 66%, which is well above the US average.

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 Prior Lake 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.

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 Prior Lake is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Prior Lake come in at $328,400, which is 71.5% higher than the Minnesota average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Prior Lake, the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 0% lower than the Minnesota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Prior Lake

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The best places in Minnesota

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Prior Lake transportation information