Ephrata 81 Exceptional
Ephrata Livability #175 ranked city in Pennsylvania#1,451 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Ephrata

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

What's it like Living in Ephrata?

Ephrata, Pennsylvania is a mid-sized city with a population of 14,211 inhabitants. With a population density of 4,158 people per square mile, Ephrata is well above the nation's average density level. If we look at the most recent Census, Ephrata 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 Ephrata is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 25 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Living in Ephrata can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Pennsylvania, 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 cost of living, health & safety, education, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Ephrata and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Ephrata to Pennsylvania and the national average.

With a livability score of 76 out of 100, Ephrata is ranked #2,919 in the United States and #296 in Pennsylvania. This is a fantastic score, as Ephrata ranks well in multiple categories! Ephrata has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Ephrata ranks well for cost of living (A-), education (B) and housing (A+)

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. Ephrata has a violent crime rate of 29 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

The unemployment rate in Ephrata has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.5%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

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 Ephrata 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.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Ephrata is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Ephrata come in at $282,674, which is 4.6% lower than the Pennsylvania average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Ephrata, the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 8.1% lower than the Pennsylvania average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Ephrata

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Ephrata?

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Compare Ephrata, PA Livability

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      Ephrata transportation information

      Statistic Ephrata Pennsylvania National
      Average one way commute25min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.7%76.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.4%8.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%5.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.5%3.8%2.8%
      Working from home2.7%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Ephrata, 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.