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.
Located in the state of South Carolina, Lakewood is a small-sized city with a population of 2,919 residents. Lakewood is mostly populated by White (53%) and Black or African American (47%) ethnic groups. With an average age of 50 years, Lakewood residents appear to be older compared to the national average. For seniors and retirees, this city presents itself as a compelling choice. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Lakewood, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Lakewood could be a positive experience compared to other cities in South Carolina if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Lakewood and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, education, housing and other important metrics.
Using data and statistics Lakewood has received a livability score of 55 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 23rd percentile when compared to all other cities. This is a poor rating when compared to the average of other places in the country. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Lakewood has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (B), cost of living (A) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Lakewood does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F) and education (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
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.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Lakewood is actually affordable. The median home price for Lakewood homes is $207,600, which is 44.6% 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 3.5, which is 12.9% 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% |
Here are the best places to live in South Carolina
10 best cities to buy a new house in South Carolina
Top 10 cities in South Carolina with the best education system
These are the 10 most affordable cities in South Carolina