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
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
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.
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
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Ratings
AreaVibes collected feedback from local residents in the area through surveys and polls, and the results did not show a favorable view of things like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Red Oak is a small-sized city located in the state of Iowa. The city has a population of 5,323 residents. At 95%, the majority of the Red Oak population is White; this is followed by 2% American Indian and Alaskan and 0% Black. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Red Oak offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Red Oak, 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, cost of living, health & safety, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Red Oak and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Red Oak to Iowa and the national average.
With a livability score of 67 out of 100, Red Oak is ranked #8,786 in the United States and #391 in Iowa. If we check out each of the categories on their own, we see that Red Oak ranks well for crime (B), cost of living (A+), education (B-) and housing (A-). Red Oak does not do well for the following: amenities (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Red Oak has an unemployment rate of 2.74% 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.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Red Oak has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Red Oak is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Red Oak come in at $77,400, which is 41.7% lower than the Iowa average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Red Oak, the home price to income ratio is 1.5, which is 37.5% lower than the Iowa average.
| Statistic | Red Oak | Iowa | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 82.0% | 80.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 11.1% | 8.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.0% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.2% | 3.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.5% | 4.5% | 4.6% |
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