Denison 79 Exceptional
Denison Livability #103 ranked city in Iowa#2,053 ranked city in the USARanks better than 92% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Pros and Cons of Living in Denison

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

What's it like Living in Denison?

Denison, Iowa is a smaller city with a population of 8,630 inhabitants. At 69%, the majority of the Denison population is White; this is followed by 6% Black and 4% Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Denison are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 47% of the population also speak Spanish. Denison tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 33 is far below the national average. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Denison. With an average one way commute time of only 14 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Denison, Iowa could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like amenities, crime, education, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Denison and in the areas around Denison is a much easier task.

Denison has a livability score of 77/100 and is ranked #133 in Iowa and #2,481 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Denison could be a great choice! Denison has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Denison scores well for crime (B-), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+) Denison does not rank well for the following: amenities (F) and employment (D). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Denison, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 124 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national 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. Denison 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.

Denison 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 Denison. The median home price for Denison homes is $179,902, which is 25% lower than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Denison, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.3, which is 23.3% lower than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Denison

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Compare Denison, IA Livability

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      Denison transportation information

      Statistic Denison Iowa National
      Average one way commute14min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.2%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool15.2%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home3.3%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Denison, 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.