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.
Crime
This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.
Employment
With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.
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.
Schools
The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.
Nothing Found
None of the categories scored poorly, resulting in no identified cons for this area.
Located in the state of North Carolina, Wake Forest is a mid-sized city with a population of 45,648 people. At 73%, the majority of the Wake Forest population is White; this is followed by 18% Black and 1% Asian. An important consideration when living in Wake Forest is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 31 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Wake Forest could be a positive experience compared to other cities in North Carolina if you know where to look. 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 cost of living, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Wake Forest and in the areas around Wake Forest is a much easier task.
The livability score in Wake Forest is 84 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 98th percentile of all cities across America. Based on this score, Wake Forest would be considered a very livable city! Another exciting tidbit, is that Wake Forest ranks better than 90% of all US cities! For each of the livability categories, we see that Wake Forest ranks very well for crime (A+), education (A-), employment (A+) and housing (A+).
Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Wake Forest has a violent crime rate of 147 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.
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 Wake Forest 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.
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 Wake Forest is actually affordable. The median home price for Wake Forest homes is $562,788, which is 94.4% higher than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Wake Forest, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 9.8% lower than the North Carolina average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Wake Forest | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 31min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 79.4% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.1% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.5% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 13.1% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
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