Grimes 80 Exceptional
Grimes Livability #93 ranked city in Iowa#1,863 ranked city in the USARanks better than 93% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Grimes

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.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • 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.

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 Grimes?

Grimes, Iowa is a mid-sized city with a population of 14,059 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, Grimes is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Grimes will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 19 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Living in Grimes can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the city. 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Grimes, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, health & safety, education, housing and more.

Grimes has a livability score of 78/100 and is ranked #100 in Iowa and #2,054 in the USA. Based on this score, Grimes would be considered a very livable city! This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Grimes has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A), cost of living (A-), education (A+), employment (A+) and housing (A+). The bad news for Grimes, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F).

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 Grimes, the average school test scores are an impressive 84%, 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 Grimes 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.

Grimes 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 Grimes. The median home price for Grimes homes is $387,372, which is 61.4% higher than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Grimes, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 0% lower than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Grimes

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Grimes?

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Compare Grimes, IA Livability

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      Grimes transportation information

      Statistic Grimes Iowa National
      Average one way commute19min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.6%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool2.8%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.1%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home13.2%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Grimes, 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.