Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
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
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.
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
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.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Employment
This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.
Schools
The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.
Sumter, South Carolina is a moderately-sized city with a population of 39,758 people. Sumter is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (43%) and Black or African American (50%). The median age of all Sumter residents is 32, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Sumter. 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.
Without the right tools, moving to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Sumter, South Carolina could be a great 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 amenities, cost of living, commute, health & safety, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Sumter and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Sumter to South Carolina and the national average.
The livability score in Sumter is 58/100 and the city is ranked in the 34th percentile of all cities across America. This score ranks well below the national average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Sumter has higher than average grades for the following: cost of living (B+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Sumter. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F), crime (F), education (D) and employment (F).
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Sumter. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Sumter are affordable. Median real estate prices in Sumter come in at $131,800, which is 8.2% lower than the South Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Sumter, the home price to income ratio is 3.2, which is 3.2% higher than the South Carolina average.
| Statistic | Sumter | South Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 83.5% | 82.8% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.3% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.5% | 0.6% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.6% | 2.2% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.9% | 3.6% | 4.6% |
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