Mason City, IA vs Northfield, MN
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.
Mason City
84.3
#7 nationally
Northfield
73.6
#708 nationally
Northfield leads in crime level (4.2 vs 6.1). Northfield leads in median household income ($83,125 vs $60,786). Mason City leads in average commute (14.6 min vs 19.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Mason City, IA | Northfield, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 84.3 (#7) | 73.6 (#708) |
| Population | 26,906 | 21,020 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $160,581 | $396,746 |
| Median Household Income | $60,786 | $83,125 |
| Average Commute | 14.6 min | 19.1 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 31 |
| Crime Level | 6.1 | 4.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+11.7 | R+2.5 |
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 →
C
73.6 Score
Northfield, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$396,746
Population
21,020
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
31
Midwest
View Northfield, MN →
Try a different matchup
Swap Mason City for: