Clive 82 Exceptional
Clive Livability #31 ranked city in Iowa#1,016 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Clive

PROS
  • Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • 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.

  • Schools

    High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.

  • 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.

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What's it like Living in Clive?

Clive is a mid-sized city located in the state of Iowa. The city has a population of 17,246 inhabitants. The majority of Clive residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Clive is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Clive, 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. Finding the best places to live in Clive and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety, education and other important metrics.

The livability score in Clive is 83 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 97th percentile of all cities across America. Clearly, Clive is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Clive also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Clive ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (B), education (A) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Clive does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (D-). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

The Clive unemployment rate of 2.33% 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.

Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Clive schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 72%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making Clive an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Clive can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Assuming that Clive meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Clive. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Clive are simply unattainable. The median home price for Clive homes is $284,800, which is 114.5% higher than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Clive, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.7, which is 12.5% higher than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Clive

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Clive?

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Compare Clive, IA Livability

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      Clive transportation information

      Statistic Clive Iowa National
      Average one way commute18min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work73.6%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.6%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.3%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.5%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home18.1%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Clive, IA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).