Monroe 58 Below average
Monroe Livability #574 ranked city in North Carolina#21,180 ranked city in the USARanks better than 27% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Monroe

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.

CONS
  • Amenities 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 Commute

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

  • Crime Crime

    High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.

  • Health & Safety 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.

What's it like Living in Monroe?

Monroe, North Carolina is a mid-sized city with a population of 36,140 people. The majority of Monroe residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Monroe are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 28% of the population also speak Spanish. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Monroe, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 28 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Monroe could be a positive experience compared to other cities in North 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. With useful information like amenities, cost of living, health & safety, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Monroe and in the areas around Monroe is a much easier task.

Monroe has a livability score of 56/100 and is ranked #608 in North Carolina and #21,994 in the USA. Compared to the national average, this city has a score which ranks among the lowest in the nation, and it is not considered a very livable city. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Monroe has higher than average grades for the following: cost of living (A) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Monroe does not have favorable grades for the following: amenities (F), crime (F) and education (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

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 Monroe 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.

Monroe real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Monroe. Median real estate prices in Monroe come in at $311,026, which is 7.4% higher than the North Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Monroe, the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 4.9% lower than the North Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Monroe

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Compare Monroe, NC Livability

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      Monroe transportation information

      Statistic Monroe North Carolina National
      Average one way commute28min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.9%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool18.6%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.4%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.3%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home2.3%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Monroe, 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.