Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Ratings
Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.
Amenities
It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.
Employment
The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.
Schools
Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.
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.
| Statistic | Kelso | Washington | National |
| Average one way commute | 22min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 80.1% | 72.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 11.3% | 10.2% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.4% | 6.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.7% | 3.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.7% | 5.6% | 4.6% |
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