Iola 68 Good
Iola Livability #209 ranked city in Kansas#9,233 ranked city in the USARanks better than 68% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Iola

PROS
  • Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

  • Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Crime

    High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.

  • Employment

    The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.

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What's it like Living in Iola?

Located in the state of Kansas, Iola is a small city with a population of 5,322 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Iola is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Native Hawaiian and Black. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Iola. With an average one way commute time of only 21 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Iola could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Kansas 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. With useful information like cost of living, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Iola and in the areas around Iola is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 68 out of 100, Iola is ranked #7,569 in the United States and #171 in Kansas. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Iola ranks very well for housing (B). Iola does not fare well for the following: amenities (F), crime (F) and employment (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Achieving a cost-effective lifestyle can be pivotal in managing your monthly expenditures, especially given the ongoing upward trajectory of everday goods and housing prices. In Iola, residents are fortunate to experience a cost of living that is 21.99% below the national average. This advantageous positioning extends its impact to a wide spectrum of expenses, encompassing not only goods and services but also transportation and health care costs. As a result, this area stands out as a place where your money stretches further, ensuring that you can maintain a more economical and sustainable lifestyle. This affordability becomes increasingly valuable in an era marked by soaring costs, making Iola an attractive choice for those seeking financial prudence without compromising on quality of life.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Iola has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Assuming that Iola meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Iola. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Iola are simply unattainable. The median home price for Iola homes is $75,900, which is 43.9% lower than the Kansas average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Iola, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 1.9, which is 24% lower than the Kansas average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Iola

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Iola?

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Compare Iola, KS Livability

      vs

      Iola transportation information

      Statistic Iola Kansas National
      Average one way commute21min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.0%82.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool17.4%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.4%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.3%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home1.6%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Iola, KS data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).