Valdez 80 Exceptional
Valdez Livability #4 ranked city in Alaska#1,591 ranked city in the USARanks better than 94% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Valdez

PROS
  • Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • 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.

CONS
  • Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

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What's it like Living in Valdez?

Valdez is a smaller city located in the state of Alaska. The city has a population of 3,865 inhabitants. Valdez has a population density of 18 people per square mile. This would be considered about average when compared to the national population density level. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (85% White). Given that fact, Valdez could be considered less diverse than other cities. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Valdez. With an average one way commute time of only 12 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Valdez could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Alaska if you know where to search. 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, health & safety, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Valdez and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Valdez to Alaska and the national average.

The livability score in Valdez is 78/100 and the city is ranked in the 93rd percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the national average, Valdez ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Another exciting tidbit, is that Valdez ranks better than 90% of all US cities! Based on the grades for each individual category, Valdez has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A), education (B), employment (A+) and housing (B+). On a less positive note, Valdez does not have favorable grades for the following: cost of living (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out 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 Valdez, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 104 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Valdez has an unemployment rate of 2.26% 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.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Valdez can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Valdez. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Valdez are affordable. The median home price for Valdez homes is $168,900, which is 34.3% lower than the Alaska average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Valdez, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 1.8, which is 48.6% lower than the Alaska average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Valdez

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Valdez?

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Compare Valdez, AK Livability

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      Valdez transportation information

      Statistic Valdez Alaska National
      Average one way commute12min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.8%68.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.2%12.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk7.2%7.9%2.8%
      Working from home4.3%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Valdez, AK data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).