Marion, 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.
Marion
80.8
#63 nationally
Mason City
84.3
#7 nationally
Marion leads in crime level (3.4 vs 6.1). Marion leads in median household income ($81,519 vs $60,786). Mason City leads in average commute (14.6 min vs 19.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Marion, IA | Mason City, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.8 (#63) | 84.3 (#7) |
| Population | 42,213 | 26,906 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $281,229 | $160,581 |
| Median Household Income | $81,519 | $60,786 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 14.6 min |
| Walk Score | 32 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 3.4 | 6.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 87 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.9 | R+11.7 |
B-
80.8 Score
Marion, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$281,229
Population
42,213
Crime
Low
Walk Score
32
Midwest
View Marion, 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 →
Try a different matchup
Swap Marion for: