Luray 77 Exceptional
Luray Livability #92 ranked city in Virginia#2,869 ranked city in the USARanks better than 90% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Luray

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.

  • 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.

  • Crime 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 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.

  • Ratings 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.

What's it like Living in Luray?

Luray, Virginia is a small-sized city with a population of 5,002 people. According to the most recent Census, 93% of Luray residents are White, 3% Black and 1% Asian. Based on an average age of 48, Luray appears to be well-suited for seniors or retirees as the average age is well above 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 Luray, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 28 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Luray could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Virginia 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. The best areas in Luray and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, cost of living, commute, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Virginia and national averages.

With a livability score of 75 out of 100, Luray is ranked #3,876 in the United States and #127 in Virginia. Based on this score, Luray would be considered a very livable city! For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Luray ranks very well for amenities (B+), crime (B+), cost of living (A-), education (B) and housing (A).

If you're considering living in Luray, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Luray provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area.

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Luray, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 41 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Luray has an unemployment rate of 2.5% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

Test scores serve as a vital gauge of a school's academic prowess and the proficiency of its students. They play a pivotal role in assessing whether local schools can deliver a robust educational foundation for children. In Luray, the schools boast an impressive average test score of 76%, significantly higher than the national average. This outstanding academic achievement not only reflects the excellence of the local educational system, but also indicates the potential for students to thrive academically, making it an attractive destination for families seeking a high-quality education for their children.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Luray has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Assuming that Luray meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Luray. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Luray are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Luray come in at $302,143, which is 30.5% lower than the Virginia average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Luray, the home price to income ratio is 4, which is 11.1% lower than the Virginia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Luray

See all the best places to live around Luray

How Do You Rate The Livability In Luray?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Luray, VA Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      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.

      Local Insights Report

      Luray transportation information

      Statistic Luray Virginia National
      Average one way commute28min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.6%77.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.6%9.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%4.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.7%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home3.1%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Luray, VA 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.