Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Ratings
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Amenities
The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Employment
This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.
Storm Lake is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Iowa. The city has a population of 10,508 residents. More than a quarter of the residents of Storm Lake identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 35% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Storm Lake tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 31 is far below the national average. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Storm Lake will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 10 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Living in Storm Lake can be a fulfilling experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of Iowa, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Finding the best places to live in Storm Lake 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, employment, housing and other important metrics.
With a livability score of 75 out of 100, Storm Lake is ranked #3,153 in the United States and #161 in Iowa. Clearly, Storm Lake is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. For each of the livability categories, we know that Storm Lake ranks very well for crime (B), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Storm Lake. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F) and employment (D-).
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Storm Lake 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.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Storm Lake is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Storm Lake come in at $142,000, which is 6.9% higher than the Iowa average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Storm Lake, the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 25% higher than the Iowa average.
| Statistic | Storm Lake | Iowa | National |
| Average one way commute | 10min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 61.8% | 80.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 21.0% | 8.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.5% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 3.0% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 10.1% | 3.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.2% | 4.5% | 4.6% |
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