Spring Lake 59 Below average
Spring Lake Livability #543 ranked city in North Carolina#19,811 ranked city in the USARanks better than 32% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Spring Lake

PROS
  • 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.

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.

  • Commute 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.

  • Crime Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

  • Employment Employment

    This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.

  • Health & Safety 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.

What's it like Living in Spring Lake?

Spring Lake is a medium-sized city located in the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of 12,346 people. Individuals of White (45%) and Black or African American (35%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. The median age of all Spring Lake residents is 26, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. Spring Lake is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 47% married, this city falls well below the national average. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Spring Lake. With an average one way commute time of only 18 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Spring Lake, North Carolina could be a fulfilling 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. Finding the best places to live in Spring Lake and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, cost of living, employment and other important metrics.

The livability score in Spring Lake is 59/100 and the city is ranked in the 35th percentile of all cities across America. This score ranks well below the national average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Spring Lake ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A) There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Spring Lake. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F), crime (F), education (D) 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 Spring Lake 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.

Assuming that Spring Lake 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 Spring Lake. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Spring Lake are simply unattainable. The median home price for Spring Lake homes is $172,291, which is 40.5% lower than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Spring Lake, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 29.3% lower than the North Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Spring Lake

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Spring Lake?

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Compare Spring Lake, NC Livability

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      Spring Lake transportation information

      Statistic Spring Lake North Carolina National
      Average one way commute18min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work70.3%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.6%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.9%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk11.6%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home4.0%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Spring Lake, 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.