Centerville 73 Excellent
Centerville Livability #277 ranked city in Iowa#5,375 ranked city in the USARanks better than 81% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Centerville

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.

  • 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
  • Amenities 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 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.

  • Employment Employment

    A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.

What's it like Living in Centerville?

Located in the state of Iowa, Centerville is a small-sized city with a population of 5,579 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Centerville is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. The Centerville population appears to be aging at a faster rate than normal. The median age is currently 48, which is on the high side when compared to most other cities. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Centerville 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.

Living in Centerville can be a great experience for anyone relocating to the town. Having said that, in the state of Iowa, there are many incredible 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 Centerville and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, health & safety, education, housing and other important metrics.

Centerville has a livability score of 72/100 and is ranked #277 in Iowa and #5,599 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Centerville ranks very well for education (A) and housing (A+). Unfortunately for Centerville, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F) and employment (F).

Managing monthly expenses, from grocery bills to never-ending utility costs, can swiftly accumulate. Fortunately, we're delighted to share that the cost of living in Centerville is 21.57% lower than the national average. This translates to a tangible reduction in those persistent monthly expenditures, making Centerville a city where you can anticipate lower costs across the board when compared to many other urban areas. This financial advantage not only eases the burden of day-to-day living but also allows for a more budget-friendly lifestyle, ensuring that your hard-earned money goes further and providing an appealing incentive for those seeking to improve their financial well-being in a world where expenses continue to rise.

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 Centerville, the average school test scores reached an impressive 70%, 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 Centerville an excellent choice for families seeking a high-quality education.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Centerville excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

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 Centerville is actually affordable. The median home price for Centerville homes is $132,699, which is 44.7% lower than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Centerville, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.7, which is 10% lower than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Centerville

See all the best places to live around Centerville

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Compare Centerville, IA Livability

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      Centerville transportation information

      Statistic Centerville Iowa National
      Average one way commute16min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.0%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.0%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.0%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home3.2%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Centerville, 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.