Lake Stevens 82 Exceptional
Lake Stevens Livability #62 ranked city in Washington#1,121 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Lake Stevens

PROS
  • Commute 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 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 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.

  • Housing 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.

  • Health & Safety 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.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living 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.

What's it like Living in Lake Stevens?

Located in the state of Washington, Lake Stevens is a moderately-sized city with a population of 34,189 people. Lake Stevens has a population density of 3,847 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. If we look at the most recent Census, Lake Stevens is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Lake Stevens offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 35 minutes.

Living in Lake Stevens can be a fulfilling experience for anyone relocating to the town. Having said that, in the state of Washington, 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. The best areas in Lake Stevens and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Washington and national averages.

Lake Stevens has a livability score of 82 out of 100 and is ranked #60 in Washington and #1,043 in the USA. Compared to the US average, Lake Stevens ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Lake Stevens also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Lake Stevens has higher than average scores for the following: crime (A), education (B-), employment (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Lake Stevens. The following was graded with a disappointing score: cost of living (F).

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Lake Stevens gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 117 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Lake Stevens market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens. Median real estate prices in Lake Stevens come in at $690,669, which is 40.4% higher than the Washington average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Lake Stevens, the home price to income ratio is 5, which is 7.4% lower than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Lake Stevens

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      Lake Stevens transportation information

      Statistic Lake Stevens Washington National
      Average one way commute35min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.9%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.0%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.4%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.2%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home8.7%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Lake Stevens, 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.