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
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
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.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Health & Safety
Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.
Schools
The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.
Ratings
Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Spencer is a small city located in the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of 3,227 people. Spencer is mostly populated by White (54%) and Black or African American (38%) ethnic groups. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Spencer, only 49% of the population is married. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Spencer 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.
Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Spencer could be a positive experience compared to other cities in North Carolina if you know where to search. 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 commute, health & safety, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Spencer and in the areas around Spencer is a much easier task.
Spencer, NC receives 58/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #526 in North Carolina and #19,370 in the USA. This is a lower than the national average livability score as Spencer does not rank well for most categories. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Spencer has received high marks for cost of living (A+) and housing (A). Regrettably for Spencer, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F) and education (F).
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 Spencer 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.
Spencer 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 Spencer. Median real estate prices in Spencer come in at $112,300, which is 28.5% lower than the North Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Spencer, the home price to income ratio is 2.1, which is 36.4% lower than the North Carolina average.
| Statistic | Spencer | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 21min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.9% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 2.7% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.2% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.6% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.3% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
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