Charles City 76 Exceptional
Charles City Livability #166 ranked city in Iowa#2,958 ranked city in the USARanks better than 89% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Charles City

PROS
  • Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

  • Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Employment

    A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.

New Real Estate Listings in Charles City Area
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What's it like Living in Charles City?

Located in the state of Iowa, Charles City is a smaller city with a population of 7,351 inhabitants. The majority of Charles City residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Charles City will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 13 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Charles City, Iowa. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like crime, health & safety, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Charles City and in the areas around Charles City is a much easier task.

The livability score in Charles City is 75 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 89th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the national average, Charles City ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Charles City scores well for crime (B-) and housing (B-) The bad news for Charles City, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F) and employment (F).

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Charles City apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Charles City. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Charles City are affordable. Median real estate prices in Charles City come in at $93,200, which is 29.8% lower than the Iowa average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Charles City, the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 4.2% higher than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Charles City

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Charles City?

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Compare Charles City, IA Livability

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      Charles City transportation information

      Statistic Charles City Iowa National
      Average one way commute13min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.6%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool14.6%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.1%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.1%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.5%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home6.6%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Charles City, IA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).