Mason City, IA vs Paducah, KY
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
Paducah
79.7
#110 nationally
Mason City leads in median household income ($60,786 vs $46,984). Mason City leads in crime level (6.1 vs 7.4). Mason City leads in average commute (14.6 min vs 16.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Mason City, IA | Paducah, KY |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 84.3 (#7) | 79.7 (#110) |
| Population | 26,906 | 26,749 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $160,581 | $190,460 |
| Median Household Income | $60,786 | $46,984 |
| Average Commute | 14.6 min | 16.4 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 38 |
| Crime Level | 6.1 | 7.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+11.7 | R+34.9 |
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+
79.7 Score
Paducah, KY
Small Kentucky city with local appeal
Median Home
$190,460
Population
26,749
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
38
Southeast
View Paducah, KY →
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