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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ratings
Polls and surveys done by AreaVibes among area residents did not yield positive feedback when it came to the walkability of amenities, safety, nearby parks and the overall sense of community.
Lakewood, South Carolina is a small-sized city with a population of 3,015 inhabitants. Lakewood is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (53%) and Black or African American (47%). In Lakewood, there seems to be a shift in population towards an older age group. The average age of the population is now 50, which is significantly higher than the nation’s average. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Lakewood your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 26 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to figure out if living in Lakewood is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before relocating to any new city in South Carolina, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Lakewood, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, commute, health & safety, employment, housing and more.
The livability score in Lakewood is 56/100 and the city is ranked in the 22nd percentile of all cities across America. This is a lower than the United States average livability score as Lakewood does not rank well for most categories. Based on the scores for each individual category, Lakewood has been rewarded with high marks for crime (B+), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Lakewood. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F) and education (F).
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Lakewood can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
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 Lakewood is real estate affordability. The median home price for Lakewood homes is $375,489, which is 44.4% higher than the South Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Lakewood, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.2, which is 10.5% higher than the South Carolina average.
| Statistic | Lakewood | South Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 26min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 92.1% | 82.8% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 0.0% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.6% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.0% | 2.2% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 7.9% | 3.6% | 4.6% |
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