Pella 90 Exceptional
Pella Livability #5 ranked city in Iowa#90 ranked city in the USARanks better than 99% 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 Pella

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.

  • Employment Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • 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.

CONS
  • 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 Pella?

Pella is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Iowa. The city has a population of 10,526 people. According to the most recent Census, 95% of Pella residents are White, 2% Asian and 1% Black. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Pella is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 12 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Pella, Iowa. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Pella and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Pella to Iowa and the national average.

With a livability score of 89 out of 100, Pella is ranked #88 in the United States and #5 in Iowa. Compared to the national average, Pella ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Another exciting tidbit, is that Pella ranks better than 90% of all US cities! For each of the livability categories, we see that Pella ranks very well for amenities (B), crime (A+), cost of living (A+), education (A+), employment (A+) and housing (A+).

If you're living in Pella, 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 Pella an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home.

Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 110 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that Pella boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Pella has an unemployment rate of 1% 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 Pella, the average school test scores are an impressive 84%, 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.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Pella excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Assuming that Pella 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 Pella. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Pella are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Pella come in at $371,379, which is 54.7% higher than the Iowa average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Pella, the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 10% higher than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Pella

See all the best places to live around Pella

How Do You Rate The Livability In Pella?

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 Pella, IA Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report

      Pella transportation information

      Statistic Pella Iowa National
      Average one way commute12min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work74.6%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.9%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.6%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.2%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk11.6%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home4.9%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Pella, 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.