Lenoir 70 Good
Lenoir Livability #139 ranked city in North Carolina#7,940 ranked city in the USARanks better than 72% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Lenoir

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.

  • 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
  • Commute Commute

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

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.

  • Schools 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.

What's it like Living in Lenoir?

Located in the state of North Carolina, Lenoir is a moderately-sized city with a population of 18,535 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (75% White). Given that fact, Lenoir could be considered less diverse than other cities. 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 Lenoir, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 24 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Lenoir is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before moving to any new city in North 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, health & safety, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Lenoir and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Lenoir to North Carolina and the national average.

The livability score in Lenoir is 69 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 73rd percentile of all cities across America. If we consider each of the categories on their own, we see that Lenoir ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A). The bad news for Lenoir, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (D), education (F) and employment (F).

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 Lenoir 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.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Lenoir. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Lenoir are affordable. The median home price for Lenoir homes is $202,593, which is 30% lower than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Lenoir, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 17.1% lower than the North Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Lenoir

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Lenoir?

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Compare Lenoir, NC Livability

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      Lenoir transportation information

      Statistic Lenoir North Carolina National
      Average one way commute24min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.1%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.5%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home6.2%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Lenoir, NC 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.