Waterville 73 Excellent
Waterville Livability #41 ranked city in Maine#4,924 ranked city in the USARanks better than 83% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Waterville

PROS
  • Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • 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.

CONS
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Ratings

    Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.

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What's it like Living in Waterville?

Waterville is a mid-sized city located in the state of Maine. The city has a population of 16,623 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Waterville is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 43% of the Waterville population is married. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Waterville offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Waterville, Maine 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. With useful information like amenities, crime, education, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Waterville and in the areas around Waterville is a much easier task.

Waterville, ME receives 73 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #39 in Maine and #4,395 in the USA. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Waterville has higher than average grades for the following: cost of living (A+) and housing (B-). Unfortunately for Waterville, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F) and employment (D-).

The unemployment rate in Waterville has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.02%. 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.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Waterville apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

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 Waterville is actually affordable. The median home price for Waterville homes is $124,200, which is 29.4% lower than the Maine average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Waterville, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.1, which is 11.4% lower than the Maine average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Waterville

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Waterville?

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Compare Waterville, ME Livability

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      Waterville transportation information

      Statistic Waterville Maine National
      Average one way commute17min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work69.0%78.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.0%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.1%0.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk14.0%4.0%2.8%
      Working from home5.2%5.5%4.6%
      Source: The Waterville, ME data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).