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
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.
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, Laurel Bay is a small-sized city with a population of 6,577 residents. Laurel Bay is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (58%) and Black or African American (34%). Laurel Bay tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 24 is far below the national average. 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 Laurel Bay, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 23 minutes.
Living in Laurel Bay can be a fulfilling experience for anyone relocating to the city. Having said that, in the state of South Carolina, there are many amazing 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. Finding the best places to live in Laurel Bay and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, cost of living, education, employment and other important metrics.
The livability score in Laurel Bay is 53/100 and the city is ranked in the 17th percentile of all cities across America. This is a lower than the national average livability score as Laurel Bay does not rank well for most categories. Based on the scores for each individual category, Laurel Bay has been rewarded with high marks for cost of living (A-) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Laurel Bay does not rank well for, including: amenities (F), crime (D-) and education (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
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 Laurel Bay 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.
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 Laurel Bay is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Laurel Bay come in at $290,602, which is 11.7% higher than the South Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Laurel Bay, the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 2.6% higher than the South Carolina average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Laurel Bay | South Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 23min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 78.8% | 82.8% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 12.8% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.6% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.7% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.8% | 3.6% | 4.6% |
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