Mount Pleasant 84 Exceptional
Mount Pleasant Livability #20 ranked city in Iowa#662 ranked city in the USARanks better than 97% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Mount Pleasant

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.

  • Cost Of Living 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 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 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 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.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

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

What's it like Living in Mount Pleasant?

Mount Pleasant is a small-sized city located in the state of Iowa. The city has a population of 8,795 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (83% White). Given that fact, Mount Pleasant could be considered less diverse than other cities. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Mount Pleasant. 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.

Living in Mount Pleasant can be a fulfilling 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. With useful information like amenities, commute, education, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Mount Pleasant and in the areas around Mount Pleasant is a much easier task.

Mount Pleasant has a livability score of 80 out of 100 and is ranked #63 in Iowa and #1,590 in the USA. This is a terrific score, as Mount Pleasant ranks well in multiple categories! Mount Pleasant also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Mount Pleasant has higher than average scores for the following: amenities (B+), cost of living (A+), education (B+) and housing (A+).

If you're living in Mount Pleasant, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Mount Pleasant an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home.

Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 48 crimes per 100,000 residents, Mount Pleasant has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.

The Mount Pleasant unemployment rate of 1.5% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

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 Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant is real estate affordability. The median home price for Mount Pleasant homes is $223,938, which is 6.7% lower than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Mount Pleasant, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 3.3% lower than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Mount Pleasant

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      Mount Pleasant transportation information

      Statistic Mount Pleasant Iowa National
      Average one way commute14min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.7%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.8%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.9%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.1%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home3.3%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Mount Pleasant, 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.