Mountlake Terrace 84 Exceptional
Mountlake Terrace Livability #29 ranked city in Washington#506 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Mountlake Terrace

PROS
  • 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.

  • Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • 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

    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
  • Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

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What's it like Living in Mountlake Terrace?

Mountlake Terrace is a mid-sized city located in the state of Washington. The city has a population of 21,328 people. In Mountlake Terrace, there are 5,259 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. At 70%, the majority of the Mountlake Terrace population is White; this is followed by 10% Asian and 6% Black. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Mountlake Terrace entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 32 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Mountlake Terrace could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Washington 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Mountlake Terrace, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, health & safety, education and more.

With a livability score of 84/100, Mountlake Terrace is ranked #488 in the United States and #38 in Washington. Compared to the US average, Mountlake Terrace ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Mountlake Terrace also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Mountlake Terrace has higher than average rankings for the following: amenities (B+), crime (B), education (A), employment (A+) and housing (A+). Mountlake Terrace does not rank well for the following: cost of living (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

If you're living in Mountlake Terrace, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Mountlake Terrace an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home.

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Mountlake Terrace has a violent crime rate of 157 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

The Mountlake Terrace unemployment rate of 2.09% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

Parents and families often rely on school test scores when making decisions about local public schools. Test score data serves as a crucial metric for comparing and assessing various educational institutions. In Mountlake Terrace, the average school test scores reached an impressive 66%, significantly higher than the national average. This remarkable performance underscores the commitment of the educational system to equip students with the knowledge and resources necessary for success. It allows your children to receive the support and skills that are essential for thriving academically, making Mountlake Terrace an excellent choice for families seeking a high-quality education.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Mountlake Terrace 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.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Mountlake Terrace. 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 Mountlake Terrace are affordable. The median home price for Mountlake Terrace homes is $424,700, which is 57.7% higher than the Washington average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Mountlake Terrace, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.3, which is 23.3% higher than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Mountlake Terrace

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Compare Mountlake Terrace, WA Livability

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      Mountlake Terrace transportation information

      Statistic Mountlake Terrace Washington National
      Average one way commute32min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work63.9%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.7%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit11.5%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.7%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home10.2%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Mountlake Terrace, WA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).