Lake Wales 68 Good
Lake Wales Livability #520 ranked city in Florida#9,379 ranked city in the USARanks better than 67% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Lake Wales

PROS
  • Cost Of Living 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 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 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.

CONS
  • Amenities 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 Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Lake Wales?

Lake Wales, Florida is a medium-sized city with a population of 16,926 residents. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Lake Wales is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 24 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Lake Wales, Florida could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. To help you find the best places to live in and around Lake Wales, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, commute and more.

Lake Wales, FL receives 65 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #649 in Florida and #12,191 in the USA. Based on the grades for each individual category, Lake Wales has received high marks for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Lake Wales does not rank well for, including: amenities (F), crime (F) and education (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

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 Wales 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.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Lake Wales is real estate affordability. The median home price for Lake Wales homes is $319,906, which is 6.8% higher than the Florida average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Lake Wales, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.5, which is 7.1% higher than the Florida average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Lake Wales

See all the best places to live around Lake Wales

How Do You Rate The Livability In Lake Wales?

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Compare Lake Wales, FL Livability

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      Lake Wales transportation information

      Statistic Lake Wales Florida National
      Average one way commute24min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.4%79.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool14.0%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%2.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.7%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%1.5%2.8%
      Working from home3.3%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Lake Wales, FL 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.