Westerly 74 Excellent
Westerly Livability #10 ranked city in Rhode Island#4,529 ranked city in the USARanks better than 84% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Westerly

PROS
  • Crime 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 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 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.

  • 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.

What's it like Living in Westerly?

Westerly, Rhode Island is a moderately-sized city with a population of 18,517 people. According to the most recent Census, 91% of Westerly residents are White, 3% Asian and 2% Black. Westerly is considered to be a city with an aging population. The average age of all residents is 49, which is well beyond the United States median age average. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Westerly, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Westerly, Rhode Island could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the time 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, commute, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Westerly and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Westerly to Rhode Island and the national average.

With a livability score of 73 out of 100, Westerly is ranked #4,672 in the United States and #7 in Rhode Island. Based on the grades for each individual category, Westerly has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A+), employment (A-) and housing (A+). Westerly does not score well for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Westerly shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 64 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Westerly has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

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 Westerly is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Westerly come in at $553,661, which is 26.1% higher than the Rhode Island average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Westerly, the home price to income ratio is 5, which is 2% lower than the Rhode Island average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Westerly

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Westerly?

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Compare Westerly, RI Livability

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      Westerly transportation information

      Statistic Westerly Rhode Island National
      Average one way commute26min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.4%79.8%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.5%8.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.9%2.8%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.6%3.8%2.8%
      Working from home4.8%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Westerly, RI 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.