Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
Crime
This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.
Employment
This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Schools
A high score in the schools category could be the result of elements like top-notch test scores, high education levels and the convenient location of elementary and high schools in this area.
Cost Of Living
Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.
Lafayette, California is a mid-sized city with a population of 26,574 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (80% White). Given that fact, Lafayette could be considered less diverse than other cities. Something to be aware of when living in Lafayette are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 32 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.
Living in Lafayette can be a good experience for anyone relocating to the city. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many incredible 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. With useful information like amenities, cost of living, health & safety, education and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Lafayette and in the areas around Lafayette is a much easier task.
Lafayette, CA receives 84 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #11 in California and #498 in the USA. Clearly, Lafayette is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Lafayette has higher than average scores for the following: crime (A+), education (A+) and housing (B-). Regrettably for Lafayette, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: cost of living (F).
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. Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 80 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.
Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Lafayette have an average test score of 83%, which is well above the US average.
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 Lafayette 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.
Assuming that Lafayette meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Lafayette. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Lafayette are simply unattainable. The median home price for Lafayette homes is $2,725,649, which is 272.5% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Lafayette, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 9.6, which is 24.7% higher than the California average.
| Statistic | Lafayette | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 32min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 56.1% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 5.0% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 15.6% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.5% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 21.0% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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