Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
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.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Commute
Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.
Crime
High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.
Employment
The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.
Schools
Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.
Morganton is a moderately-sized city located in the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of 16,517 people. The majority of Morganton residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and American Indian and Alaskan. Morganton is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 49% married, this city falls well below the national average. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Morganton offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 21 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Living in Morganton can be a great experience for anyone relocating to the town. Having said that, in the state of North Carolina, 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. With useful information like crime, commute, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Morganton and in the areas around Morganton is a much easier task.
With a livability score of 66/100, Morganton is ranked #9,978 in the United States and #203 in North Carolina. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Morganton has higher than average scores for the following: cost of living (A+) and housing (B-). The bad news for Morganton, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (D), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F).
When contemplating a move, job prospects often top the list of priorities. In Morganton, the outlook for new employment is notably brighter than in many other areas. The low unemployment rate of 2.58% points to a surge in job opportunities, the potential for higher wages, enhanced workforce productivity and increased economic growth. These favorable conditions bode well for individuals seeking career advancement and financial stability, making this area an appealing destination for those prioritizing professional opportunities and economic prosperity.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Morganton market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
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 Morganton is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Morganton come in at $153,400, which is 2.4% lower than the North Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Morganton, the home price to income ratio is 3.8, which is 15.2% higher than the North Carolina average.
| Statistic | Morganton | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 21min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 79.2% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 13.3% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.6% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.6% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.9% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
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