Clive 83 Exceptional
Clive Livability #39 ranked city in Iowa#1,021 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% 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 Clive

PROS
  • 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.

  • Employment 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 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.

What's it like Living in Clive?

Clive, Iowa is a moderately-sized city with a population of 17,633 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (85% White). Given that fact, Clive could be considered less diverse than other cities. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Clive offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Clive can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the town. Having said that, in the state of Iowa, there are many desirable 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. With useful information like commute, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Clive and in the areas around Clive is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 82/100, Clive is ranked #1,016 in the United States and #31 in Iowa. Compared to the US average, Clive ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that Clive also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Clive has higher than average grades for the following: crime (B), cost of living (B-), education (A) and housing (A+). Clive does not do well for the following: amenities (D-). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Parents and families tend to prioritize school test scores when choosing educational institutions. Test score data can be a critical factor in evaluating and comparing schools. In Clive, the average school test scores are an impressive 72%, well above the national average. This achievement reflects the educational system's dedication to providing students with the essential knowledge and tools for success. It ensures that your children will receive the support and resources needed to excel academically and thrive in their educational pursuits.

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.

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 Clive is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Clive come in at $514,698, which is 114.4% higher than the Iowa average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Clive, the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 10% higher than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Clive

See all the best places to live around Clive

How Do You Rate The Livability In Clive?

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 Clive, IA Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      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) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.