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.
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
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
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.
Amenities
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.
Crime
This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.
Schools
The lower than average schools score may be influenced by below-average education levels, subpar reading and math scores and the lack of access to local elementary and high schools.
Located in the state of Mississippi, Forest is a smaller city with a population of 5,731 people. Forest is mostly populated by White (47%) and Black or African American (43%) ethnic groups. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Forest are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 25% of the population also speak Spanish. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Forest, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 23 minutes.
Are you trying to decide if living in Forest is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before moving to any new city in Mississippi, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Forest, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like commute, health & safety, education, employment, housing and more.
Forest has a livability score of 68 out of 100 and is ranked #58 in Mississippi and #8,944 in the USA. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Forest has higher than average rankings for the following: housing (A+). On a less positive note, Forest does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
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, Forest has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Forest 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 Forest. The median home price for Forest homes is $172,824, which is 7.9% lower than the Mississippi average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Forest, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 16.1% lower than the Mississippi average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Forest | Mississippi | National |
| Average one way commute | 23min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 61.6% | 84.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 26.6% | 9.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 4.4% | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 7.4% | 1.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 0.0% | 2.2% | 4.6% |
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