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.
Crime
This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.
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.
Schools
A high score in the schools category could be the result of elements like top-notch test scores, high education levels and the convenient location of elementary and high schools in this area.
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.
Kalona is a small-sized city located in the state of Iowa. The city has a population of 2,588 residents. At 93%, the majority of the Kalona population is White; this is followed by 0% Black and 0% Asian. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Kalona offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to decide if living in Kalona is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before moving to any new city in Iowa, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety, you can easily compare the best places to live in Kalona and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Kalona to Iowa and the national average.
With a livability score of 78 out of 100, Kalona is ranked #2,283 in the United States and #115 in Iowa. Based on this score, Kalona would be considered a very livable city! The cherry on top is that Kalona also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Kalona ranks very well for crime (A+), cost of living (A), education (B+), employment (B) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Kalona. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F).
The unemployment rate in Kalona has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 0.4%. 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.
Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Kalona schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 69%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making Kalona an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.
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, Kalona 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 Kalona 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 Kalona. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Kalona are simply unattainable. The median home price for Kalona homes is $292,687, which is 21.9% higher than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Kalona, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 13.3% higher than the Iowa average.
| Statistic | Kalona | Iowa | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.8% | 80.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 5.8% | 8.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.9% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 8.7% | 3.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.5% | 4.5% | 4.6% |
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