Pleasant Hill 79 Exceptional
Pleasant Hill Livability #99 ranked city in Iowa#1,916 ranked city in the USARanks better than 93% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Pleasant Hill

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 Pleasant Hill?

Located in the state of Iowa, Pleasant Hill is a moderately-sized city with a population of 10,217 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (85% White). Given that fact, Pleasant Hill could be considered less diverse than other cities. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Pleasant Hill is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 23 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Pleasant Hill, Iowa could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like amenities, cost of living, commute, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Pleasant Hill and in the areas around Pleasant Hill is a much easier task.

The livability score in Pleasant Hill is 78 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 92nd percentile of all cities across America. Clearly, Pleasant Hill is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Pleasant Hill also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Pleasant Hill ranks well for crime (A), cost of living (A-), education (A-), employment (B+) and housing (A+) Pleasant Hill does not score well for the following: amenities (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Test scores serve as a vital gauge of a school's academic prowess and the proficiency of its students. They play a pivotal role in assessing whether local schools can deliver a robust educational foundation for children. In Pleasant Hill, the schools boast an impressive average test score of 77%, significantly higher than the national average. This outstanding academic achievement not only reflects the excellence of the local educational system, but also indicates the potential for students to thrive academically, making it an attractive destination for families seeking a high-quality education for their children.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Pleasant Hill 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 Pleasant Hill 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 Pleasant Hill. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Pleasant Hill are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Pleasant Hill come in at $386,168, which is 60.9% higher than the Iowa average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Pleasant Hill, the home price to income ratio is 3.5, which is 16.7% higher than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Pleasant Hill

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Compare Pleasant Hill, IA Livability

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      Pleasant Hill transportation information

      Statistic Pleasant Hill Iowa National
      Average one way commute23min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.6%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.3%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.5%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.3%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home5.0%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Pleasant Hill, 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.