Roanoke Rapids 56 Below average
Roanoke Rapids Livability #631 ranked city in North Carolina#22,900 ranked city in the USARanks better than 21% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Roanoke Rapids

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Crime Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    In the employment category, a low score could be attributed to low income levels and high unemployment in the area, suggesting potential difficulties in finding lucrative employment.

  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in Roanoke Rapids?

Located in the state of North Carolina, Roanoke Rapids is a mid-sized city with a population of 14,926 inhabitants. Roanoke Rapids is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (56%) and Black or African American (37%). Roanoke Rapids is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 50%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Roanoke Rapids is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 21 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the time 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Roanoke Rapids, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, employment, housing and more.

With a livability score of 56 out of 100, Roanoke Rapids is ranked #22,109 in the United States and #611 in North Carolina. Compared to the United States 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 check out each of the categories individually, we see that Roanoke Rapids ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (B). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Roanoke Rapids. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F), crime (F), 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 Roanoke Rapids 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 Roanoke Rapids. 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 Roanoke Rapids are affordable. Median real estate prices in Roanoke Rapids come in at $192,981, which is 33.3% lower than the North Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Roanoke Rapids, 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 Roanoke Rapids

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Compare Roanoke Rapids, NC Livability

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      Roanoke Rapids transportation information

      Statistic Roanoke Rapids North Carolina National
      Average one way commute21min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.8%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool14.3%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.6%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home2.3%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Roanoke Rapids, 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.