Iowa City, IA 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.
Iowa City
73.8
#673 nationally
Mason City
84.3
#7 nationally
Mason City leads in crime level (6.1 vs 8.8). Iowa City leads in walk score (45 vs 37). Mason City leads in average commute (14.6 min vs 17.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Iowa City, IA | Mason City, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#673) | 84.3 (#7) |
| Population | 75,678 | 26,906 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $305,824 | $160,581 |
| Median Household Income | $54,879 | $60,786 |
| Average Commute | 17.7 min | 14.6 min |
| Walk Score | 45 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 8.8 | 6.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 87 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+38.1 | R+11.7 |
C
73.8 Score
Iowa City, IA
Iowa community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$305,824
Population
75,678
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
45
Midwest
View Iowa City, IA →
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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