Bristol 73 Excellent
Bristol Livability #546 ranked city in Pennsylvania#5,093 ranked city in the USARanks better than 82% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Bristol

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Bristol?

Bristol is a smaller city located in the state of Pennsylvania. The city has a population of 9,921 people. Bristol has a population density of 5,835 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. The majority of Bristol residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 50% of the Bristol 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 Bristol, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 24 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Bristol could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Pennsylvania 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. The best areas in Bristol and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, health & safety, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Pennsylvania and national averages.

Using data and statistics Bristol has received a livability score of 69/100. This score is ranked in the 73rd percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Bristol has received high marks for crime (B), cost of living (B), employment (B-) and housing (A+). Unfortunately for Bristol, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F).

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Bristol has a violent crime rate of 51 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national 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 Bristol 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 Bristol is actually affordable. The median home price for Bristol homes is $324,730, which is 9.6% higher than the Pennsylvania average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Bristol, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 2.7% lower than the Pennsylvania average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Bristol

See all the best places to live around Bristol

How Do You Rate The Livability In Bristol?

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Compare Bristol, PA Livability

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      Bristol transportation information

      Statistic Bristol Pennsylvania National
      Average one way commute24min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.4%76.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.9%8.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.8%5.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.6%3.8%2.8%
      Working from home6.2%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Bristol, PA 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.