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.
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.
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.
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.
Muscle Shoals, Alabama is a mid-sized city with a population of 14,685 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (81% White). Given that fact, Muscle Shoals could be considered less diverse than other cities. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Muscle Shoals offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Muscle Shoals, Alabama could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Muscle Shoals and in the areas around Muscle Shoals is a much easier task.
Using data and statistics Muscle Shoals has received a livability score of 67/100. This score is ranked in the 66th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Muscle Shoals has higher than average grades for the following: cost of living (A+), education (B) and housing (A+). Regrettably for Muscle Shoals, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F).
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. Muscle Shoals has a violent crime rate of 183 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.
Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Muscle Shoals, the unemployment rate stands at 1.6%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.
Parents and families tend to prioritize school test scores when choosing educational institutions. Test score data can be a critical factor in evaluating and comparing schools. In Muscle Shoals, the average school test scores are an impressive 66%, well above the national average. This achievement reflects the educational system's dedication to providing students with the essential knowledge and tools for success. It ensures that your children will receive the support and resources needed to excel academically and thrive in their educational pursuits.
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, Muscle Shoals has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Muscle Shoals is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Muscle Shoals come in at $275,970, which is 17.2% higher than the Alabama average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Muscle Shoals, the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 5.6% lower than the Alabama average.
| Statistic | Muscle Shoals | Alabama | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 88.0% | 85.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 2.2% | 8.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.0% | 1.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 8.1% | 2.9% | 4.6% |
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