Newton 77 Exceptional
Newton Livability #169 ranked city in Iowa#3,069 ranked city in the USARanks better than 89% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Newton

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

What's it like Living in Newton?

Newton, Iowa is a medium-sized city with a population of 15,563 people. The majority of Newton residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Newton offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Newton is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive 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. With useful information like amenities, commute, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Newton and in the areas around Newton is a much easier task.

Newton, IA receives 77/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #154 in Iowa and #2,818 in the USA. Clearly, Newton is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Newton has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we explore each of the categories individually, we see that Newton ranks well for cost of living (A+), education (A-) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Newton does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

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 Newton, the average school test scores are an impressive 69%, 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.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Newton apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Newton 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 Newton. The median home price for Newton homes is $222,379, which is 7.3% lower than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Newton, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.1, which is 3.3% higher than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Newton

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Compare Newton, IA Livability

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      Newton transportation information

      Statistic Newton Iowa National
      Average one way commute20min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.8%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.6%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.1%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.0%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home4.9%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Newton, 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.