Kenai 55 Below average
Kenai Livability #107 ranked city in Alaska#23,126 ranked city in the USARanks better than 21% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Kenai

PROS
  • Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

  • Ratings

    Polls and surveys done by AreaVibes among area residents did not yield positive feedback when it came to the walkability of amenities, safety, nearby parks and the overall sense of community.

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What's it like Living in Kenai?

Located in the state of Alaska, Kenai is a small-sized city with a population of 7,799 residents. At 72%, the majority of the Kenai population is White; this is followed by 12% American Indian and Alaskan and 3% Asian. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Kenai. With an average one way commute time of only 20 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Kenai can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Alaska, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, health & safety, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Kenai and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Kenai to Alaska and the national average.

The livability score in Kenai is 54/100 and the city is ranked in the 21st percentile of all cities across America. This is a lower than the national average livability score as Kenai does not rank well for most categories. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Kenai has higher than average scores for the following: housing (A-). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Kenai. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F) and cost of living (D).

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Kenai 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.

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 Kenai is actually affordable. The median home price for Kenai homes is $229,000, which is 10.9% lower than the Alaska average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Kenai, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 2.9% lower than the Alaska average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Kenai

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Kenai?

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Compare Kenai, AK Livability

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      Kenai transportation information

      Statistic Kenai Alaska National
      Average one way commute20min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.8%68.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.7%12.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.4%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.9%7.9%2.8%
      Working from home6.1%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Kenai, AK data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).