La Plata 71 Excellent
La Plata Livability #151 ranked city in Maryland#6,117 ranked city in the USARanks better than 79% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in La Plata

PROS
  • Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • 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.

  • Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

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.

  • 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.

New Real Estate Listings in La Plata Area
Search Homes for Sale in La Plata, MD

What's it like Living in La Plata?

La Plata, Maryland is a smaller city with a population of 9,516 residents. An important consideration when living in La Plata 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 35 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in La Plata could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Maryland 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 amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in La Plata and in the areas around La Plata is a much easier task.

La Plata has a livability score of 69/100 and is ranked #169 in Maryland and #7,145 in the USA. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. La Plata ranks well for housing (A) La Plata does not fare well for the following: amenities (F), crime (F) and cost of living (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In La Plata, the unemployment rate stands at 2.16%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. La Plata 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.

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 La Plata is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in La Plata come in at $333,000, which is 14.7% higher than the Maryland average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In La Plata, the home price to income ratio is 3.5, which is 7.9% lower than the Maryland average.

Best Places to Live in and Around La Plata

See all the best places to live around La Plata

How Do You Rate The Livability In La Plata?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare La Plata, MD Livability

      vs

      La Plata transportation information

      Statistic La Plata Maryland National
      Average one way commute35min32min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.2%73.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.2%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.4%8.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.4%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home8.6%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The La Plata, MD data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).