Cresco 83 Exceptional
Cresco Livability #30 ranked city in Iowa#877 ranked city in the USARanks better than 97% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Cresco

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
  • 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 Cresco?

Located in the state of Iowa, Cresco is a small-sized city with a population of 3,834 people. At 96%, the majority of the Cresco population is White; this is followed by 1% Black and 1% Asian. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Cresco is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Cresco could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Iowa if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Cresco and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes cost of living, commute, health & safety, employment and other important metrics.

Using data and statistics Cresco has received a livability score of 82/100. This score is ranked in the 96th percentile when compared to all other cities. Clearly, Cresco is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Cresco is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. Based on the grades for each individual category, Cresco has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A), cost of living (A+), education (B+), employment (B-) and housing (A). Regrettably for Cresco, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (D-).

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Cresco has a violent crime rate of 103 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

The unemployment rate in Cresco has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.4%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Cresco have an average test score of 71%, which is well above the US average.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Cresco 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.

Cresco real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Cresco. The median home price for Cresco homes is $152,682, which is 36.4% lower than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Cresco, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 1.9, which is 36.7% lower than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Cresco

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Compare Cresco, IA Livability

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      Cresco transportation information

      Statistic Cresco Iowa National
      Average one way commute20min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.3%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.8%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.8%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle2.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk6.2%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home5.1%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Cresco, 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.