Gardendale 64 Average
Gardendale Livability #132 ranked city in Alabama#13,454 ranked city in the USARanks better than 54% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Gardendale

PROS
  • Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

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What's it like Living in Gardendale?

Gardendale is a mid-sized city located in the state of Alabama. The city has a population of 14,021 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, Gardendale is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Gardendale, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Gardendale could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Alabama 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Gardendale, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, commute, health & safety and more.

The livability score in Gardendale is 60/100 and the city is ranked in the 39th percentile of all cities across America. This is not a favorable rating; as this score ranks among some of the lowest in America. Living in Gardendale may not be a pleasant experience. For each of the livability categories, we know that Gardendale ranks very well for cost of living (B+), employment (A) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Gardendale. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F), crime (F) and education (D).

The unemployment rate in Gardendale has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.83%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Gardendale can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Gardendale is real estate affordability. The median home price for Gardendale homes is $184,200, which is 43.3% higher than the Alabama average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Gardendale, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 13.8% lower than the Alabama average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Gardendale

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Gardendale?

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Compare Gardendale, AL Livability

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      Gardendale transportation information

      Statistic Gardendale Alabama National
      Average one way commute26min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work87.8%85.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.8%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.8%1.1%2.8%
      Working from home3.3%2.9%4.6%
      Source: The Gardendale, AL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).