Faribault, MN 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.
Faribault
72.4
#894 nationally
Mason City
84.3
#7 nationally
Mason City leads in crime level (6.1 vs 8.4). Mason City leads in average commute (14.6 min vs 19.2 min). Mason City leads in walk score (37 vs 29).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Faribault, MN | Mason City, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.4 (#894) | 84.3 (#7) |
| Population | 24,642 | 26,906 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $307,876 | $160,581 |
| Median Household Income | $58,881 | $60,786 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 14.6 min |
| Walk Score | 29 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 8.4 | 6.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 98 | 87 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.5 | R+11.7 |
C-
72.4 Score
Faribault, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$307,876
Population
24,642
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
29
Midwest
View Faribault, MN →
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 →
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