
With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
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.
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.
Surf City, North Carolina is a smaller city with a population of 3,261 inhabitants. The majority of Surf City residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Surf City entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 32 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Surf City, North Carolina. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Surf City, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, commute, employment, housing and more.
The livability score in Surf City is 63/100 and the city is ranked in the 52nd percentile of all cities across America. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Surf City has higher than average scores for the following: employment (B+) and housing (A). Surf City does not do well for the following: amenities (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Surf City excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
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 Surf City is actually affordable. The median home price for Surf City homes is $507,657, which is 75.4% higher than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Surf City, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.5, which is 9.8% higher than the North Carolina average.
| Statistic | Surf City | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 32min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 75.1% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 12.5% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.4% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 9.9% | 4.8% | 4.6% |