Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Ratings
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Employment
This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.
Schools
The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.
Sylva, North Carolina is a smaller city with a population of 2,696 people. According to the most recent Census, 73% of Sylva residents are White, 3% Black and 3% American Indian and Alaskan. Sylva could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 31 years old is below the nation’s average. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 36% of the Sylva population is married. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Sylva, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 25 minutes.
Living in Sylva can be a great experience for anyone relocating to the city. Having said that, in the state of North Carolina, 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Sylva and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Sylva to North Carolina and the national average.
Sylva, NC receives 70 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #85 in North Carolina and #5,863 in the USA. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Sylva ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (B-) Regrettably for Sylva, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: crime (F), education (F) and employment (F).
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Sylva 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.
Sylva 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 Sylva. The median home price for Sylva homes is $162,900, which is 3.7% higher than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Sylva, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.5, which is 36.4% higher than the North Carolina average.
| Statistic | Sylva | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 25min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 73.8% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 15.4% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.4% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.9% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.6% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
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