Elmira, NY vs Mason City, IA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Elmira
78.3
#184 nationally
Mason City
84.3
#7 nationally
Mason City leads in crime level (6.1 vs 15.0). Mason City leads in median household income ($60,786 vs $41,073). Elmira leads in walk score (51 vs 37).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elmira, NY | Mason City, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 78.3 (#184) | 84.3 (#7) |
| Population | 26,176 | 26,906 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $134,027 | $160,581 |
| Median Household Income | $41,073 | $60,786 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 14.6 min |
| Walk Score | 51 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 15.0 | 6.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 87 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+16.8 | R+11.7 |
C+
78.3 Score
Elmira, NY
Small New York city with local appeal
Median Home
$134,027
Population
26,176
Crime
High
Walk Score
51
Northeast
View Elmira, NY →
B
84.3 Score
Mason City, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$160,581
Population
26,906
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
37
Midwest
View Mason City, IA →