Livability Score

80
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities F

There are not many amenities close to this location.
Coffee (0) F
Entertainment (5) B
The Music Man Square
Attraction
Charles H MacNider Museum
Museum
Roosevelt Stadium
Stadium
Lime Creek Nature Center
Museum
VanHorn Antique Truck Museum
Museum
Cinema West
Cinema
Food and Drink (7) F
Hardee's
Fast Food
Culver's
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
KFC
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Burger King
Fast Food
Subway
Fast Food
Fitness (0) F
Groceries (6) F
Fareway
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee
Grocery Store
ALDI
Grocery Store
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
Parks (38) A+
Interstate Park West
Park
Interstate Park East
Park
Norris Park
Park
Central Park
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Lewis Kipper Park
Park
South Washington Park
Park
West Park
Park
Morgan Park
Park
Rud Park
Park
Parkers Woods
Park
Prarie Playground
Playground
East Park
Park
Oak Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Margaret MacNider Park
Park
Monroe Park
Park
Water Works Park
Park
South Kentucky Water Tower Park
Park
MacNider Woods
Park
Brookview Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
South Fire Station Park
Park
Muse Norris Youth Softball Complex
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Shops (14) F
Younker's
Department Store
Buckle
Clothing
GNC
Nutrition Supplements
Claire's
Fashion
Bath & Body Works
Beauty
Cuts Above
Hairdresser
Willowbrook Mall
Mall
Kmart
Department Store
Unknown Name
Mall
Dollar Tree
Discount Store
Fleet Farm
Home Improvement
Menards
Home Improvement
TJ Maxx
Department Store
Target
Department Store
See more Mason City amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 0.8% take public transportation in Mason City.
Public Transit Stops (23)
Stops & Stations A+
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
NIACC
Bus Stop
Workers Taking Public Transit
0.8% F
See more Mason City commute data

cost of living A+

The cost of living in Mason City is 89/100 - which is equal to Iowa.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc. A
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax D
See more Mason City cost of living data

crime C-

Mason City crime rates are 2,967 per 100k, which is 83% higher than Iowa
Property Crime
2,675 crimes per 100k F
Violent Crime
292 crimes per 100k B-
See more Mason City crime data

employment C

The median income in Mason City is $53,406 - which is 2% lower than Iowa.
Med. Household Income
$53,406 D-
Unemployment Rate
2.5% A
See more Mason City employment data

health A+

There are not many hospitals, police and fire stations,
Health & Safety (17)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc. A+
Mason City Police Department
Police
Central Park Dentistry Center
Dentist
Mason City Fire Department
Fire Station
Mason City Surgery Center
Clinic
Hy-Vee Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Mason City Clinic
Clinic
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center
Hospital
Forest Park Clinic
Clinic
MercyOne North Iowa Cancer Center
Clinic
Mercy Family Clinic - Regency
Doctor
Hy-Vee Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Unknown Name
Clinic
Hy-Vee Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Burgmeier Dentistry
Dentist
Anchor Family Health Center
Doctor
North Iowa Mercy Health Center - West Campus
Hospital
Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic
Doctor
Air Quality
Median Air Quality A+
See more Mason City health & safety data

housing A+

Mason City home prices are $112,500 - which is 15% lower than Iowa
Home Price
$112,500 F
Home Appreciation Rate
9% B+
Home Affordability
2.1x (home price to income ratio) A+
See more Mason City housing data

schools C+

The Mason City graduation rate is 89% - which is 1% higher than Iowa
School Test Scores
54% D
High School Grad. Rates
89% B
Elementary Schools (7) F
Roosevelt Elementary School
Lincoln Intermediate
Hoover Elementary School
North Iowa Christian School
Jefferson Elementary School
Harding Elementary School
Newman Catholic
High Schools (4) F
North Iowa Christian School
Mason City High School
Alternative School
Newman Catholic
See more Mason City education data

ratings F

Mason City has an overall rating of 49% from 25 reviews.
User Reviews (3)
From AreaVibes D-
User Surveys (22)
From AreaVibes F
See more Mason City user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings

Mason City, IA Area Guide

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( 25 Ratings )

Living in Mason City, IA

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Mason City Area Facts

What do the locals think about Mason City?

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Mason City Reviews

Write a review about Mason City Tell people what you like or don't like about Mason City…
Resident- in mason 2.5 rating By abelasimon ( May 20, 2020) The city is not bad, people are nice. The schools are very good. There a few issues I noticed, the city Government lacks vision, focusing on the Music Man and downtown area that is dying, southbridge Mall created a some new opportunities with the Ice-skating Arena. We have a smal ...Read More l airport that is old, an airports in S America. The council is a one-way street, do not dedicate enough time to Citizens to voice their opinions. The crime rate has become bigger. At this point, I do not see much going on here typically Government bureaucracy. I expected much better from Iowa. Read Less
i hate mason city 0.5 rating By Anonymous ( Dec 26, 2018) not the place to live lots of theft murder rape and burglary and criminal mischief to ive lived in garner for years and also been to mason city not the place to live I hate it you will to and there's a bunch of road rage too don't come here I've lived in garner for years and garn ...Read More er is far better then Mason city I hate here don't live here it sucks a lot I'm warning you don't go at past 8 its no place for low crime its high here Read Less
River City: A True American Gem 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( May 14, 2018) There is no place that is quite like Mason City, Iowa. It has a charm that comes from generations and generations of kind and hardworking people coming together to create this beautiful place. Mason City, also known as River City, is a perfect corner of America to call home. It h ...Read More as a tremendous history and I am proud of say I am a part of making that history for future generations.

Mason City has a lot of cute museums and local treasures that make it a fun place to explore. I love the historic buildings and monuments, especially the Stockman house. River City also boasts many great restaurants and bars that keep the town hopping and fun. I particularly enjoy 1910 Grille'. It has a warm and cozy environment that feels inviting and easily compares to gastropubs in far larger cities.

Mason City is truly a gem. The family values and warm community have made and will continue to make Mason City great. Read Less
Show All Reviews
River City: A True American Gem 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( May 14, 2018) There is no place that is quite like Mason City, Iowa. It has a charm that comes from generations and generations of kind and hardworking people coming together to create this beautiful place. Mason City, also known as River City, is a perfect corner of America to call home. It h ...Read More as a tremendous history and I am proud of say I am a part of making that history for future generations.

Mason City has a lot of cute museums and local treasures that make it a fun place to explore. I love the historic buildings and monuments, especially the Stockman house. River City also boasts many great restaurants and bars that keep the town hopping and fun. I particularly enjoy 1910 Grille'. It has a warm and cozy environment that feels inviting and easily compares to gastropubs in far larger cities.

Mason City is truly a gem. The family values and warm community have made and will continue to make Mason City great. Read Less

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Compare Mason City, IA Livability

      vs

      F Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Mason City? Well, there are not many amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Interstate Park West
      Interstate Park East
      Norris Park
      Central Park
      Unknown Name
      Lewis Kipper Park
      South Washington Park
      West Park

      Entertainment

      The Music Man Square
      Charles H MacNider Museum
      Roosevelt Stadium
      Lime Creek Nature Center
      VanHorn Antique Truck Museum
      Cinema West

      Food & Drink

      Hardee's
      Culver's
      McDonald's
      KFC
      McDonald's
      Burger King
      Subway

      A- Commute

      Is public transit available in Mason City? Of all people who commute, 0.8% take public transportation in Mason City.
      Drive to Work
      82%

      5% higher than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      1%

      4% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      3%

      equal to the US average

      A+ Cost of Living

      What is the cost of living in Mason City? The cost of living in Mason City is 89/100 - which is equal to Iowa.
      Mason City
      89

      11% less expensive than average

      Iowa
      90

      10% less expensive than average

      United States
      100

      National cost of living index

      C- Crime

      What is the crime rate in Mason City? Mason City crime rates are 2,967, which are 83% higher than Iowa
      Total Crime
      2,967 per 100k people

      28% higher than the US average

      Chance of being a victim
      1 in 34

      28% higher than the US average

      Year-over-year crime
      -8%

      Year over year crime is down

      C Employment

      What is the median income in Mason City? The median income in Mason City is $53,406 which is 2% lower than Iowa.
      Median household income
      $53,4063% lower than the US average
      Income per capita
      $31,0734% higher than the US average
      Unemployment rate
      2%

      47% lower than the US average

      B+ Health & Safety

      Is Mason City a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are some hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center
      North Iowa Mercy Health Center - West Campus

      Pharmacies

      Hy-Vee Pharmacy
      Hy-Vee Pharmacy
      Hy-Vee Pharmacy

      Doctors

      Mercy Family Clinic - Regency
      Anchor Family Health Center
      Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic

      A+ Housing

      What are Mason City home prices? Mason City home prices are $112,500 - which is 15% lower than Iowa
      Median home value
      $112,50039% lower than the US average
      Median rent price
      $73323% lower than the US average
      Home Ownership
      65%

      2% higher than the US average

      C+ Schools

      Does Mason City have good schools? The Mason City graduation rate is 89% - which is 1% higher than Iowa
      High school grad. rates
      89%

      7% higher than the US average

      School test scores
      54%

      13% higher than the US average

      Student teacher ratio
      13:1

      20% lower than the US average

      F User Ratings

      Is Mason City a good place to live? Mason City has an overall rating of 49% from 25 reviews.
      Overall user rating
      49%

      25 total ratings

      User reviews rating
      50%

      3 total reviews

      User surveys rating
      47%

      22 total surveys

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