Centralia 70 Excellent
Centralia Livability #122 ranked city in Missouri#7,305 ranked city in the USARanks better than 75% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Centralia

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.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • 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 Centralia?

Centralia, Missouri is a small city with a population of 4,354 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, Centralia is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. 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 Centralia is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 28 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Living in Centralia can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the town. Having said that, in the state of Missouri, 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, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Centralia and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Centralia to Missouri and the national average.

Centralia, MO receives 69 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #126 in Missouri and #7,650 in the USA. If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that Centralia ranks well for crime (A), cost of living (A+) and education (B-). Regrettably for Centralia, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F).

Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 42 crimes per 100,000 residents, Centralia has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Centralia has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Centralia. 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 Centralia are affordable. The median home price for Centralia homes is $227,346, which is 8.9% lower than the Missouri average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Centralia, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.7, which is 20.6% lower than the Missouri average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Centralia

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Centralia?

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      Centralia transportation information

      Statistic Centralia Missouri National
      Average one way commute28min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.8%81.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool13.2%9.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle2.6%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.0%1.9%2.8%
      Working from home5.4%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Centralia, MO 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.