Carroll 81 Exceptional
Carroll Livability #61 ranked city in Iowa#1,352 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Carroll

PROS
  • Cost Of Living 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.

  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Housing 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 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 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.

CONS
  • Commute 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.

What's it like Living in Carroll?

Located in the state of Iowa, Carroll is a mid-sized city with a population of 10,175 residents. At 95%, the majority of the Carroll population is White; this is followed by 1% Black and 1% American Indian and Alaskan. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Carroll offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 10 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Carroll, 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 Carroll and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, cost of living, employment and other important metrics.

Carroll, IA receives 79/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #80 in Iowa and #1,863 in the USA. Based on this score, Carroll would be considered a very livable city! Carroll has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Carroll scores well for crime (A), cost of living (A+), education (A-) and housing (A+)

Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 40 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that Carroll boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Carroll, the unemployment rate stands at 1.7%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

Parents and families often rely on school test scores when making decisions about local public schools. Test score data serves as a crucial metric for comparing and assessing various educational institutions. In Carroll, the average school test scores reached an impressive 73%, significantly higher than the national average. This remarkable performance underscores the commitment of the educational system to equip students with the knowledge and resources necessary for success. It allows your children to receive the support and skills that are essential for thriving academically, making Carroll an excellent choice for families seeking a high-quality education.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Carroll has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Carroll. 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 Carroll are affordable. The median home price for Carroll homes is $269,599, which is 12.3% higher than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Carroll, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 20% higher than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Carroll

See all the best places to live around Carroll

How Do You Rate The Livability In Carroll?

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 Carroll, IA Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report

      Carroll transportation information

      Statistic Carroll Iowa National
      Average one way commute10min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.3%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.6%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.9%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.5%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home5.2%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Carroll, IA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.