Shively 78 Exceptional
Shively Livability #76 ranked city in Kentucky#2,434 ranked city in the USARanks better than 91% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Shively

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

What's it like Living in Shively?

Located in the state of Kentucky, Shively is a medium-sized city with a population of 16,091 inhabitants. Shively has a population density of 3,520 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. Shively is mostly populated by White (42%) and Black or African American (51%) ethnic groups. Shively is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 39%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Shively will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 21 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Living in Shively can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Kentucky, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Finding the best places to live in Shively and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, cost of living, commute, housing and other important metrics.

Shively, KY receives 78/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #69 in Kentucky and #2,226 in the USA. Based on this score, Shively would be considered a very livable city! This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Shively scores well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+) There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Shively. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F), crime (F) and employment (D-).

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Shively apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Assuming that Shively 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 Shively. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Shively are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Shively come in at $194,070, which is 13.8% lower than the Kentucky average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Shively, the home price to income ratio is 3.1, which is 8.8% lower than the Kentucky average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Shively

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Shively?

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Compare Shively, KY Livability

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      Shively transportation information

      Statistic Shively Kentucky National
      Average one way commute21min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.3%82.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.0%9.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit4.5%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.1%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home6.6%3.3%4.6%
      Source: The Shively, KY 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.