Cherokee 79 Exceptional
Cherokee Livability #92 ranked city in Iowa#1,972 ranked city in the USARanks better than 93% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Cherokee

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.

New Real Estate Listings in Cherokee Area
Search Homes for Sale in Cherokee, IA

What's it like Living in Cherokee?

Cherokee is a smaller city located in the state of Iowa. The city has a population of 4,883 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (92% White). Given that fact, Cherokee could be considered less diverse than other cities. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Cherokee is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 16 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Cherokee could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Iowa if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Cherokee and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, commute, education, employment, housing and other important metrics.

The livability score in Cherokee is 78/100 and the city is ranked in the 94th percentile of all cities across America. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Cherokee could be a great choice! Cherokee has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we check out each of the categories individually, we see that Cherokee ranks well for crime (B-), cost of living (A+), education (B+) and housing (A+). Unfortunately for Cherokee, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F).

The impact of the cost of living on your monthly financial situation cannot be overstated. Whether it's housing expenses, grocery bills or healthcare costs, it's crucial to ensure that your chosen place of residence is not only comfortable but also affordable. Fortunately, in Cherokee, the cost of living is 20.49% below the national average, offering the assurance that after meeting your financial obligations, there may be a surplus left in your wallet. This financial advantage not only promotes financial stability but also opens up opportunities for savings and a better quality of life. In a world where expenses can be overwhelming, Cherokee stands out as a place where you can enjoy both comfort and fiscal responsibility, ensuring a brighter financial future.

The Cherokee unemployment rate of 1.89% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Cherokee have an average test score of 66%, which is well above the US average.

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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee. 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 Cherokee are affordable. Median real estate prices in Cherokee come in at $95,600, which is 28% lower than the Iowa average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Cherokee, the home price to income ratio is 2.1, which is 12.5% lower than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Cherokee

See all the best places to live around Cherokee

How Do You Rate The Livability In Cherokee?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Cherokee, IA Livability

      vs

      Cherokee transportation information

      Statistic Cherokee Iowa National
      Average one way commute16min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.7%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.7%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.0%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home5.6%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Cherokee, IA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).