Osage 80 Exceptional
Osage Livability #80 ranked city in Iowa#1,667 ranked city in the USARanks better than 94% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Osage

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.

  • Crime Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • 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.

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 Osage?

Located in the state of Iowa, Osage is a smaller city with a population of 3,625 residents. According to the most recent Census, 97% of Osage residents are White, 1% Black and 1% American Indian and Alaskan. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Osage 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 Osage is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before relocating 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, crime, cost of living, health & safety, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Osage and in the areas around Osage is a much easier task.

Using data and statistics Osage has received a livability score of 79/100. This score is ranked in the 94th percentile when compared to all other cities. Compared to the US average, Osage ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Osage also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Osage ranks well for crime (A), cost of living (A+), education (A) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Osage does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Osage shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 114 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Osage has an unemployment rate of 1.2% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

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 Osage, the average school test scores are an impressive 70%, 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.

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 Osage 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.

Assuming that Osage 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 Osage. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Osage are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Osage come in at $197,759, which is 17.6% lower than the Iowa average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Osage, the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 16.7% lower than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Osage

See all the best places to live around Osage

How Do You Rate The Livability In Osage?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Osage, IA Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Osage transportation information

      Statistic Osage Iowa National
      Average one way commute19min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work90.5%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.5%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.1%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.5%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home0.8%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Osage, 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.