Kelso 66 Good
Kelso Livability #324 ranked city in Washington#12,128 ranked city in the USARanks better than 58% of areas
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What's it like Living in Kelso?

Located in the state of Washington, Kelso is a moderately-sized city with a population of 12,512 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (87% White). Given that fact, Kelso could be considered less diverse than other cities. Kelso is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 49% married, this city falls well below the national average.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Kelso, Washington. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in Kelso and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, health & safety, education, employment and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 63 out of 100, Kelso is ranked #14,892 in the United States and #366 in Washington. For each of the livability categories, we see that Kelso ranks very well for cost of living (A) and housing (A+). Unfortunately for Kelso, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F), crime (F), education (D-) and employment (D-).

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 Kelso 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.

Kelso 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 Kelso. Median real estate prices in Kelso come in at $330,938, which is 32.7% lower than the Washington average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Kelso, the home price to income ratio is 4.6, which is 14.8% lower than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Kelso

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Kelso?

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Compare Kelso, WA Livability

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      Kelso transportation information

      Statistic Kelso Washington National
      Average one way commute22min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.1%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.3%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.4%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.7%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home3.7%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Kelso, WA 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.