Hiawatha 79 Exceptional
Hiawatha Livability #93 ranked city in Iowa#1,983 ranked city in the USARanks better than 93% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Hiawatha

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • 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.

  • 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.

What's it like Living in Hiawatha?

Hiawatha, Iowa is a small-sized city with a population of 7,665 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (82% White). Given that fact, Hiawatha could be considered less diverse than other cities. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Hiawatha offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 16 minutes, far 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 Hiawatha 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Hiawatha and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Hiawatha to Iowa and the national average.

The livability score in Hiawatha is 77 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 91st percentile of all cities across America. Based on this score, Hiawatha would be considered a very livable city! Hiawatha is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Hiawatha ranks well for cost of living (A+), education (B-) and housing (A+) On a less positive note, Hiawatha does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F) and employment (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Hiawatha market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Hiawatha is real estate affordability. The median home price for Hiawatha homes is $278,211, which is 15.9% higher than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Hiawatha, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 20% higher than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Hiawatha

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Hiawatha?

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Compare Hiawatha, IA Livability

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      Hiawatha transportation information

      Statistic Hiawatha Iowa National
      Average one way commute16min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work89.2%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.5%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.4%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home5.5%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Hiawatha, 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.